B E O'WULF 





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BEOWULF 



BEOWULF 



Translated out of the Old English 

BY 

Chauncey Brewster Tinker, Ph.D 

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH IN YALE COLLEGE 



A 



REVISED EDITION 



NEW YORK 
NEWSON & COMPANY 

1910 






-^ 



Copyright, 1902, 19x0, by 
Newson & Company 



p. w. 1188 



©QU273H5S 



TO 
FREDERICK BLISS LUQUIENS 



PREFACE 

The present translation of Beowulf is an at- 
tempt to make as simple and readable a version 
of the poem as is consistent with the character 
of the original. Archaic forms, which have been 
much in favor with translators of Old English, 
have been excluded, because it has been thought 
that vigor and variety are not incompatible with 
simple, idiomatic English. The extreme difficulty 
of choosing an adequate medium has prevented 
me from attempting a verse-translation. To 
modern readers, measures imitative of the Old 
English verse seem quite devoid of rhythm and 
beauty, while ballad measures and blank verse 
suggest almost any other period than that of 
Beowulf. 

The principal ways in which the present 
version differs from a merely literal translation 
are the following: (i) in a rather broad inter- 
pretation of pregnant words and phrases; (2) in 
a conception of some of the Old English compounds 
as conventional phrases in which the original 

S 



PREFACE 

metaphorical sense is dead; (3) in a free treatment 
of connecting words; (4) in frequent substitution 
of a proper name for an ambiguous pronoun. 

PREFACE TO THE REVISED 
EDITION 

In the present edition, foot-notes explanatory 
of more difficult matters have been added; certain 
verbal changes introduced in order to bring the 
text into conformity with improved readings in 
the original text; and a general attempt made to 
increase the simplicity and intelligibility of the 
rendering. In this work, I have been aided by 
the detailed criticism of Professor F. York Powell, 
who took a kindly interest in the book from the 
first. His death has prevented me from making 
a more satisfactory acknowledgment of his kind- 
ness than these inefifectual words. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE 

The Old English poem Beowulf is preserved 
in a single manuscript * in the Cottonian library 
of the British Museum. Aside from the internal 
evidences afforded by this manuscript, nothing is 
known of the origin or authorship of the poem. 
The handwriting of the manuscript appears to 
be of the tenth century, but the poem itself is cer- 
tainly much older. This is evident from the fact 
that one of the events of the story (the expedition 
of King Hygelac against the Frisians) is historical, 
and occurred ca, 512. Allowing time for the later 
events of the story, for the growth of tradition 
and myth, for the introduction of the Christian 
coloring, it seems probable that the poem as we 
now have it is the work of the late seventh century. 

All the events of the story take place in Den- 
mark and southern Sweden. England is nowhere 
mentioned. It is therefore probable that the 
materials from which the story sprang had been 
brought together before the last migrations of the 

* Cotton Vitellius, A, xv. 

7 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE 

Angles to England. However, the poem un- 
doubtedly assumed its final form on English soil. 
Regarding this gradual growth of the story, there 
are a number of discrepant views. According to 
some scholars, the Beowulf is of strictly popular 
origin, like the later English ballads. But the view 
now generally current is that the poem is the work 
of one man — an Englishman — ^w^ho recast the 
materials brought from the Continent. His work, 
however, may have been no more than the arrange- 
ment and editing of various well-known lays and 
sagas, and the addition of the Christian elements. 

Apart from its literary interest as the oldest 
of the Germanic epics, the Beowulf is invaluable 
as almost the sole remaining trace of a civilization 
that preceded the migrations to England. 



8 



£i-i5] 



THE TALE OF BEOWULF 

PROLOGUE 

Of the Banish kings, they who were ancestors to Hrothgar, 
and of the passing of Seyld. 

Lo! we have learned of the glory of the kings 
who ruled the Spear-Danes in the olden time, how 
those princes wrought mighty deeds. Oft did 
Scyld ^ of the Sheaf wrest the mead-benches from 
bands of warriors, from many a tribe. The hero 
bred awe in them from the time when first he was 
found helpless and outcast; for this he met with 
comfort, waxed great beneath the sky and throve 
in honors, until all the neighboring tribes beyond 
the ocean-paths were brought to serve him and 
pay him tribute. That was a good king! 

In after-time there was born to him in his hall, 
a young heir whom God sent for a comfort to that 
people. He saw their sore distress, how in time 
past 2 they had long suffered for lack of a chief. 

^ That is, " Shield," the defence of his people. He had 
apparently been found, an outcast babe, adrift in an open 
boat, with a sheaf of wheat for bed. The term has here 
become a sort of patronymic. 

^ Before the coming of Scyld. 



BEOWULF [16-38] 

Therefore, the Lord of life, the King of glory, 
granted him honor in this world. Beowulf,^ son 
of Scyld, was renowned in Danish lands; his fame 
was spread abroad. So ought a youth to win 
favor by giving gifts unto his father's friends, that 
afterwards willing companions may attend him in 
his age, and the people serve him in time of war.^ 
It is by noble deeds that a man shall prosper in 
any land. 

When at length the fated hour was come, Scyld, 
the valiant, departed unto the keeping of the Lord. 
Then his dear companions bore him down to the 
ocean-flood, even as he himself had bidden them, 
while as yet the friend of the Scyldings ruled them 
with his words and long did reign over them, dear 
prince of the land. There at the harbor stood a 
ship with curving prow, all icy, eager to be gone 
— meet for a prince. And in the ship's bosom, 
hard by the mast, they laid that famous hero, 
their dear lord, the giver of treasure. Many treas- 
ures were there, abundance of ornaments brought 
from afar. Never have I heard men tell of a ship 

* Not the hero of the poem; nothing else is known of 
him. 

^ One of the hortatory sentences in which the Beowulf 
abounds. A wise young prince will not neglect to win the 
favor of his father* s ComitcUus by suitable largess. 

10 



[38-52] BEOWULF 

more splendidly laden with battle-weapons and 
war-harness, with swords and coats of mail. Upon 
his breast lay many precious things which were 
to go far out with him into the realm of the waters. 
Verily no fewer of their gifts and tribal treasures 
did this people bestow upon him than they who 
at his birth sent him forth alone over the wave, 
babe as he was. Moreover, they set up a golden 
banner, high above his head, and let the sea bear 
him away, giving him over to the deep. Sad at 
heart were they, sorrowful in spirit. No man can 
truly say — no lord of hall, or hero under heaven 
— into whose hands that burden fell. 



iz 



[53-63] 



Part I 



BEOWULF AND GRENDEL 



Of Erothgar, son of Healfdene and king of the Seyldings, 
and how he built a fair mead-hall, which he named 
Heorot. How the merriment in the hall angered 
Grendel, an evil monster. 

Then Beowulf ^ of the Seyldings, dear king 
of the nation, was long famous in the cities and 
among the peoples — the prince, his father, had 
departed from his home ^ — till high Healfdene was 
born to him in after-time. He, while he lived, 
old and fierce in war, ruled graciously over the 
Seyldings. To him there were born into the world 
four children after this order: Heorogar, leader of 
armies, Hrothgar, and Halga the Good; Queen 
Elan, I have heard, was the dear wife of Ongen- 
theow, the brave Scylfing.^ 

^ Not the hero; compare page lo. ^ Died. 

^ The rendering of this sentence is extremely uncertain, 
owing to the corruption of the MS. Nothing else is known 
of the people mentioned. 

12 



[64-85] BEOWULF 

Then to Hrothgar was given success in battle, 
glory in warfare, so that his loyal kinsmen gladly 
obeyed him, until the young warriors were grown, 
a mighty band. It came into his heart to com- 
mand his men to build a hall, a mead-hall greater 
than any that the children of men had ever heard 
of, and therein to give gifts of all kinds to old and 
young, as God had prospered him, save the peo- 
ple's land and the lives of men.^ 

And I heard men tell how the work of adorning 
the people's hall was allotted unto many a tribe, 
far and wide throughout this earth. After a sea- 
son — quickly, as man's work prospereth — it came 
to pass that it was completed for him, this greatest 
of halls. And he fashioned for it the name of 
Heoroty^ he whose word had power far and near. 
He broke not his promise, but gave out rings and 
treasure at the feast. High and pinnacled, the 
hall towered aloft. Yet it awaited the surging 
blaze of hostile fire; nor was it long thereafter that 
fatal hatred was destined to arise between father- 
in-law and son-in-law, after the deadly strife.^ 

* He respected rights of property and personal liberty. 

^"Hart"; probably so called from its decoration with 
antlers. 

^ Epic prophecy; a reference to some tale of the fate of 
Heorot, familiar to the audience. 

13 



BEOWULF [86-111] 

Then that mighty spirit^ who dwelt in dark- 
ness bore in his wrath for a season to hear each 
day the merriment, loud in the hall. There was 
the sound of the harp, the clear song of the glee- 
man. He spoke, who could recount from of old 
the creation of men, told how the Almighty made 
the earth,2 ^hg fair-faced land, and the waters that 
compass it about; how, exultant in victory, He 
set the sun and moon as lights to lighten the 
dwellers in the land. He adorned all the regions 
of the earth with leaf and branch, and created life 
in everything that lives and moves. 

Thus the king's men lived, blissful and happy, 
until a certain one, a fiend of hell, began to plot 
mischief. This grim foe was called Grendel, a 
mighty stalker of the marches, who haunted the 
moors, the fens and fastnesses. The wretched 
being had long inhabited the abode of the monster 
kind, e'er since the Creator had condemned him. 
The Lord eternal wreaked vengeance upon the 
kindred of Cain, because of the murder — the slay- 
ing of Abel. He got no pleasure in the feud, but 
for that wicked deed the Lord banished him far 
from mankind. From him there woke to life all 

1 Grendel. 

^ Cf. Psalms 148; Mneid i. 742 fif. 

14 



[111-132] BEOWULF 

evil broods — monsters and elves and sea-beasts, 
and giants too, who long time strove with God. 
He gave them their reward. 



n 



Grendel falls upon Heorot and slays thirty heroes. Hrothgar 
and his men are helpless before the monster, and the 
destruetion is continued for twelve winters. 

As soon as night was come, he set out for the 
high-built hall, to see how the Ring-Danes were 
faring after the drinking of the mead. And he 
found therein a band of warrior-nobles sleeping 
after feast. They knew naught of sorrow, that 
wretched lot of all mankind. The creature of 
destruction, fierce and greedy, wild and furious, 
was ready straight. He seized thirty thanes upon 
their bed. Then back he returned to his abode, 
exulting in his booty, back to his lair with his 
fill of slaughter. 

Then at dawn, with break of day, GrendePs 
deeds were manifest to men, and the voice of 
weeping was uplifted — a great cry at morn, after 
their feast. The great lord, the prince exceeding 
good, sat joyless, when they had looked upon the 

IS 



BEOWULF [132-158] 

track of the monster, the accursed foe; the mighty 
hero suffered, sorrowing for his thanes. Too great 
was that strife, too loathsome and lasting. 

It was no longer than a single night ere he 
wrought more deeds of murder; he recked not of 
the feud and the crime — he was too fixed in them. 
Then, when the hatred of that thane of hell was 
fully known to them, truly told by tokens mani- 
fest, it was easy to find the man who sought him 
out a resting-place elsewhere more at large, a bed 
among the bowers of the hall. He kept himself 
thereafter further aloof and more secure, whoso- 
ever escaped the fiend. 

Thus he held sway, and alone against them all 
fought accursedly, until that best of houses stood 
empty. Long was the time: for t\velve winters 
the friend of the Scyldings suffered distress, yea, 
every woe, uttermost sorrow. And so it became 
known to the children of men — sadly told in song 
— that Grendel had long been fighting against 
Hrothgar, and for many a season had waged a 
bitter war and wicked feud, an unending strife. 
He would not stay the waste of life out of com- 
passion toward any of the Danish race, com- 
pounding with them for tribute, and none of the 
wise men could look for a fair ransom from the 

16 



[158-179] BEOWULF 

destroyer's hands. The dread monster, like a 
dark shadow of death, kept pursuing warrior and 
youth; he trapped and ensnared them. Night after 
night he haunted the misty moors. Men know not 
whither helPs sorcerers wander in their rounds. 

Thus the enemy of man, the terrible lone wan- 
derer, oft wrought many a foul deed, much griev- 
ous affliction. In the dark of the night-tide he 
took up his abode in Heorot, the hall brightly 
adorned. Hrothgar could not approach the throne, 
precious in the sight of God, nor did he know His 
love.i 

Mighty grief and heart-break was this for the 
kind lord of the Scyldings to bear. Many mighty 
men oft sat in council and deliberated together 
touching what it were best for great-hearted men 
to do against these sudden terrors. Sometimes 
they vowed sacrifices at their idol-fanes; the peo- 
ple prayed aloud that the Destroying Spirit 2 would 
aid them in the torment that had fallen upon them. 
Such was their custom,^ such their heathen faith; 

^ The subject of this sentence, not plainly indicated in 
the original, may perhaps be Grendel. One spot was 
inviolate. But no thoroughly satisfactory explanation has 
ever been given. 

2f he devil. 

^ The rest of the section is usually regarded as the inter- 
polation of a Christian scribe. 

17 



BEOWULF [179-193] 

the thoughts of their heart were turned on hell; 
they knew not the Creator, Judge of deeds; they 
wist not of the Lord God; verily, they knew naught 
of the worship of the Ruler of heaven, the King of 
glory. 

Woe unto him who through deadly hate ^ is 
doomed to thrust his soul into the fiery abyss, 
to hope for no comfort, no change in anywise. 
But blessed is the man who at his death may go 
unto the Lord and find refuge in the Father's 
bosom. 



Ill 



In the far eountry of the Geats, Beowulf hears of GrendeVs 
deeds, and resolves to go to the help of Hrothgar. He 
makes him ready a great ship and sails with his men to 
the eountry of the Banes, On landing he is aeeosted by 
the shore-guard. 

So the son of Healfdene^ kept ever brooding 
over his sorrow. The wise hero could not stay 
the suffering; too grievous, too long and heart- 
sickening, was the struggle which had come upon 
that people, a cruel plague, greatest of evils that 
walk by night. 

* The notion is not clear; hatred of the new Christianity, 
perhaps. ^ Hrothgar. 

18 



|i94-22o] BEOWULF 

A thane of Hygelac/ great among the Geats, 
heard of these deeds of Grendel in his native 
land. In his strength he was the best of men 
in the day of this life, noble and mighty. He 
bade make ready for him a goodly ship, saying 
that he would go over the ocean-road unto that 
war-king, the great prince, since he had need of 
men. Little did his prudent thanes blame him 
for that journey, though he was dear to them; 
they encouraged him in his high purpose, and 
looked for good omens. The hero had warriors, 
chosen from among the Geats, the keenest he 
could find. Fifteen in all went down unto the 
ship. A skilled mariner pointed out the land- 
marks unto them. 

Time wore on. The ship was upon the waves, 
the boat under the clifiE. The ready warriors 
mounted the prow. The ocean-streams dashed 
the waves upon the beach. The men bore rich 
armor into the bosom of the ship, splendid war- 
harness. The warriors pushed ofiE their tight-fitted 
craft on the willing adventure. So, driven by the 
wind, the bark most like unto a bird, sped foamy- 
necked across the waves, until, about the same 
hour the second day, the curving prow had jour- 
^ Beowulf, hero of the poem. 
19 



BEOWULF [220-247] 

neyed on so far that the sailors caught sight of 
land, saw gleaming cliffs and lofty hills, broad 
ocean-headlands. Thus the sea was crossed, and 
the voyage ended. Then the Weder people ^ went 
quickly up ashore, and made fast their ship, while 
their mail-coats and battle-raiment clashed. And 
they thanked God that their sea-paths had been 
easy. 

The guard of the Scyldings, he who had been 
set to watch the headland, saw them from the 
cliff, bearing over the gangway their bright shields 
and ready weapons. His heart was spurred with 
longing to know who the men were. So the thane 
of Hrothgar went down to the shore, riding upon 
his horse. He shook his spear mightily with his 
hands, and asked in fitting words: "What warriors 
are ye, in coats of mail, who come hither, sailing 
your great ship over the sea, the ocean-paths? I 
have been warden of the coast and have kept 
watch by the sea that no foe with force of ships 
might do harm in the Danish land. No shield- 
bearers have ever tried more openly to land here, 
nor did ye know at all the password, the agree- 
ment of the warriors, our kinsmen. Never have 
I seen a mightier hero upon earth, a mightier man 
^ Another name for the Geats. 
20 



[247-270] BEOWULF 

in armor, than is one of you. He is no common 
thane decked out with weapons, unless his face, 
his matchless countenance, belie him. But now 
I must know your lineage from you, ye false spies, 
ere ye go further in the land of the Danes. Now 
ye seafarers, strangers from afar, give ear to my 
plain counsel: it were best to make known forth- 
with whence ye are come." 



IV 



Beowulf makes answer touehing the purpose of his eoming, 
and is guided ly the eoa^-warden to Heorot. 

The chieftain, leader of the band, answered 

him again and unlocked the treasure of his speech : 

*^We are men of the Geatish kin, and Hygelac's 

hearth-companions. My father was well known 

among the peoples, a noble prince named Ecg- 

theow.i He lived many winters ere, full of years, 

he went his way from home. Him well nigh every 

wise man remembers, the wide world over. With 

friendly purpose we are come to thy lord, the son 

of Healfdene, guardian of the people. Give us thy 

gracious counsel; we have a great errand to the 

^ Nothing further is known of the events here touched 
upon. 

21 



BEOWULF 1:270-300] 

mighty lord of the Danes. Naught secret shall 
there be in that which I intend. Thou knowest 
if it be, as we have heard for a truth, that some 
foe among the Scyldings, a secret destroyer, causes 
on dark nights by the terror of his coming unutter- 
able evil, shame and slaughter. Now by my great 
mind I may perchance give counsel to Hrothgar, 
how he, the wise and good, can overcome the foe; 
if this burden of anguish be destined ever to leave 
him, release come once again, and the waves of 
care wax cooler; or else, ever after, shall he suffer 
seasons of affliction, wretched misery, long as the 
noblest of houses stands there in its lofty place." 
The warden spoke, the fearless servant, there 
where he sat upon his horse: **A keen shield- 
warrior, he who judges well, must know the dif- 
ference between words and deeds. I learn that 
this is a band friendly to the lord of the Scyldings. 
Go forth, then, with your weapons and your armor. 
I will guide you. Likewise, I will command the 
thanes, my kinsmen, to guard your ship with honor 
against every foe, the new-tarred boat there upon 
the strand, until the bark with curving prow bear 
the dear master back over the ocean-streams to 
Wedermark. Unto so brave a man be it granted 
to endure unharmed the shock of conflict." 

22 



[301-319] BEOWULF 

Then they departed along their way; the boat 
lay quiet, the broad-bosomed ship rested on her 
moorings, fast at anchor. The boar-images above 
their golden cheek-guards glistened i; bright were 
they, and hardened in the fire — there the boar kept 
guard. The men hurried on in warlike mood; 
they hastened, marching on together, till they 
caught sight of the well-built hall, stately and 
bright with gold. It was the greatest among the 
dwellings of men beneath the skies; in it dwelt the 
king, and its light shone over many lands. Then 
the bold chiefs pointed out to them that radiant 
dwelling of brave men that they might straightway 
go to it. He — himself a warrior — turned his horse 
and spoke a word to them: "It is time for me to 
go. May the Almighty Father by his grace keep 
you safe in your adventures. I will down to the 
sea to keep watch against hostile bands." 

^ Carven figures worn as charms upon the hehnet. 
^ The coast-guard. 



23 



BEOWULF [320-339] 



Beowulf and his men eome to Heorot. They are met by the 
herald, who tells their eoming to King Hrothgar. 

The street was brightly set with stones ; 1 this 
path guided the band of men. The byrnie gleamed, 
hard and hand-locked, the bright iron rings sang 
in the armor, as they came marching to the hall 
in battle-harness. Weary of the sea, they placed 
their shields, bucklers wondrous hard, against the 
wall of the house; they sat down upon the benches.^ 
Their byrnies rang, harness of heroes. Their ashen 
spears stood together, gray-shafted weapons of the 
seamen. This armored band was well adorned 
with weapons. 

Then a proud warrior asked the heroes con- 
cerning their lineage: *^ Whence bring ye your 
plated shields, your gray war-shirts, and your 
visored helmets and this group of spears? I am 
Hrothgar's servant and herald. Never have I seen 
so great a band of strangers of more courageous 
mood. I think that ye have sought out Hrothgar 

^ Notice the poet's interest in a paved road* 
2 Outside the hall. 

24 



[339-367] BEOWULF 

nowise as exiles, but from valor and out of the 
greatness of your hearts." 

And the proud lord of the Weder people, famed 
for his strength, answered him again; he spoke a 
word to him, bold under his helmet: "We are table- 
companions of Hygelac. Beowulf is my name. I 
will tell my errand to the son of Healfdene, the 
great king thy lord, if he will grant us to draw nigh 
to him who is so good." 

Wulfgar spoke (he was a chief of the Wendels, 
his boldness was known to many, his wisdom and 
might): "I will ask the friend of the Danes, king 
of the Scyldings, giver of rings, the mighty lord, 
touching thy journey, as thou dost entreat, and will 
straightway make known to thee what answer the 
good king thinketh meet to give me." 

And he went quickly to where Hrothgar was 
sitting, old and exceeding white-haired, with his 
company of thanes; the valiant man went until he 
stood before the face of the lord of the Danes — 
he knew the custom of the court. Wulfgar spoke 
to his friendly lord: "Hither are come across the 
sea-waves travelers, Geatish men from a far coun- 
try. Warriors call their chieftain Beowulf. They 
beg to have speech with thee, my lord. Re- 
fuse not to converse with them, O gracious Hroth- 

25 



BEOWULF [368-391] 

gar. In their equipment they seem worthy of the 
esteem of heroes, and verily the chief who led 
the warriors hither is a man of valor." 



VI 



Beowulf is graeiously weleomed hy the Ung, and thereupon 
tells how he will fight with Grendel, 

Then spoke Hrothgar, defence of the Scyld- 
ings: **I knew him when he was a child; his aged 
father was called Ecgtheow, to whom at his home 
Hrethel the Geat gave his only daughter in mar- 
riage. His bold son is now come hither to a loyal 
friend. Moreover, seafarers, who carried thither 
rich gifts as good-will offerings to the Geats, have 
said that he, strong in battle, had in the grip of 
his hand the strength of thirty men. Him holy 
God hath sent us, as I hope, to be a gracious help 
to the West-Danes against the terror of Grendel. 
I shall proffer the hero gifts for his boldness 
Make haste and bid all the band of kinsmen come 
in together unto us. Say to them, moreover, that 
they are welcome among the Danish people." 

Then Wulfgar came to the door of the hall 
and announced the word from within: "My vie- 

26 



[391-419] BEOWULF 

torious lord, prince of the East-Danes, bids me 
say that he knows your noble lineage, and that ye, 
as men of stout courage, are welcome unto him 
hither over the billows of the sea. Now ye may 
go in unto Hrothgar in your war-array, under your 
helmets; but let your spears, shafts of slaughter, 
here await the issue of your words/' 

Then the mighty one arose with many a warrior 
round him — it was a noble group of thanes. Some 
remained and guarded the armor as the chief bade 
them. The heroes hastened, as the guide led them 
under the roof of Heorot. The great-hearted man, 
bold under his helmet, went on until he stood 
within the hall. Beowulf spoke — on him gleamed 
his byrnie, his coat of mail linked by the smith's 
craft — : ^^Hail to thee, Hrothgar! I am Hygelac's 
kinsman and thane. Many an exploit have I 
undertaken in the days of my youth. In my 
native land I learned of GrendePs deeds; for sea- 
farers say that this hall, this best of houses, stands 
empty and useless for all men, as soon as evening 
light is hidden under the vault of heaven. And 
my people, even the best and wisest men among 
them, urged me, king Hrothgar, to come to thee, 
for they knew the strength of my might. They 
had themselves beheld when I came from the 

27 



BEOWULF [420-447] 

fight, stained with the blood of my foes. There 
had I bound five of my enemies, destroyed a giant 
race, and slain by night the sea-beasts on the 
wave.i I endured great distress, avenged the 
affliction of the Weder people — they who had suf- 
fered woes. I ground the angry foe in pieces. 
And now I alone will decide the fight with Gren- 
del, the giant monster. One boon I beg of thee, 
prince of the Bright Danes, defence of the Scyld- 
ings: — Deny me not, thou shield of warriors, friend 
of the people, now I am come so far, that I alone, 
I and my band of thanes, this my brave company, 
may cleanse Heorot of the evil that has come upon 
it. I have learned, too, that the monster in his 
rashness recks not of weapons. Therefore, that 
the heart of Hygelac my lord may be gladdened 
because of me, I scorn to carry sword or broad 
shield, the yellow buckler, into the fight; but with 
my hands I will grapple the fiend and fight for 
life, foe against foe. He whom death taketh must 
rely upon the judgment of the Lord. I think that 
if he can prevail in the hall of war he will fear- 
lessly devour the Geats even as he has often de- 
voured the best of the Hrethmen.^ Thou shalt 
have no need to bury my head if death take me, 
* Cf. the tale on page 34. ^ Danes. 

28 



[448-464] BEOWULF 

for he will have me, all red with gore; he will bear 
away the corpse to feast upon it; the lone wan- 
derer will pitilessly eat it, staining his moor-haunts; 
thou needst not then take more thought for the 
sustenance of my body. But send thou to Hyge- 
lac, if the fight take me, the matchless mail, best 
of armors, that guards my breast; it is a relic of 
Hrethel,^ and the work of Weland.^ Wyrd^ ever 
goeth her destined course." 



VII 

Hrothgar makes answer touehing the deeds of GrendeL 
They feast in Heorot. 

Then spoke Hrothgar, defence of the Scyld- 
ings: "With kindly help, my friend Beowulf, thou 
hast come to fight in our defence. Thy father 
fought the greatest of feuds, for he slew with his 
hand Heatholaf among the Wylfings; wherefore 
the Weder people, in dread of war, could not har- 
bor him.4 From there he fled over the rolling 

^ His grandfather, once king of the Geats. 

2 The mythical smith of English and Norse legend. 
Cf. Deor^s Lament, 

^ The Germanic goddess of Fate. 

*He had forfeited his tribal rights by the murder of 
Heatholaf. Nothing further is known of the incident. 

29 



BEOWULF [465-488] 

waves to the South-Danes, the honored Scyldings; 
at the time when I first ruled the Danish folk, and 
in my youth held the wealthy city of heroes, rich 
in treasure, for Heorogar, Healfdene's son, was 
dead, my elder brother lifeless; — he was a better 
man than I. Afterwards I settled that feud with 
money; I sent olden treasures ^ to the Wylfings 
across the ocean's back; and Ecgtheow swore oaths 
to me.2 

*^ Sorrowful am I in soul to tell to any man what 
shame and sudden mischief Grendel has wrought 
for me in Heorot out of his hateful thoughts. My 
hall-troop,^ my warrior-band, is melted away. 
Wyrd hath swept them away into the horrid clutch 
of Grendel. God alone can easily check the deeds 
of that mad foe. Full oft my warriors, after the 
drinking of the beer, have boastfully vowed over 
their ale-cups to await with their dread swords the 
onset of Grendel in the hall. Then in the morn- 
ing, when shone the day, this mead-hall, this 
lordly house, was all stained with blood, the 
benches reeking with gore — the hall was drenched 
in blood. So, the fewer loyal men, beloved war- 

* Weregild for Heatholaf. 
^ To serve him, or to keep the peace. 
^ Comitatus. For the whole subject of this important 
institution, see Tacitus, Germania 13-14. 

30 



|;4«8-503] BEOWULF 

riors, had I then because of those whom death 
did snatch away. Sit now to the feast, and un- 
seal to men as thy mind moveth thee, the thoughts 
of thy heart, and all thy confidence of victory." 

Then in the mead-hall a bench was made ready 
for the Geatmen, one and all. Thither the stout- 
hearted men went to sit in the pride of their 
strength. A thane did service, who bore a chased 
ale-flagon in his hand, and poured out the bright 
mead. At times a bard sang, clear-voiced in Heo- 
rot. There was merriment among the heroes, no 
little company of Danes and Weders. 



VIII AND IX 

Unferth, a thane of Hrothgar, grows jealous of Beowulf and 
taunts him, raking up old tales of a swimming -matGh 
with Breea, Beowulf is angered and boastfully tells 
the truth touching that adventure, and puts Unferth to 
silence. Queen Wealhtheow passes the eup, Hrothgar 
eomm£nds Heorot to the eare of Beowulf 

Unferth, the son of Ecglaf, who sat at the 
feet of the lord of the Scyldings, spoke, and stirred 
up a quarrel; the coming of Beowulf, the brave 
seafarer, vexed him sore, for he would not that 

31 



BEOWULF [503-528] 

any other man under heaven should ever win more 
glories in this world than he himself. "Art thou 
that Beowulf who didst strive with Breca on the 
broad sea and didst contend with him in swim- 
ming, when ye two, foolhardy, made trial of the 
waves and for a mad boast risked your lives in 
the deep water? None, friend or foe, could turn 
you from the sorry venture when ye two swam 
out upon the sea. But ye enfolded the ocean- 
streams with your arms, measured the sea-streets, 
buffeted the water with your hands, gliding over 
the deep. The ocean was tossing with waves, a 
winter's sea. Seven nights ye toiled in the power 
of the waters; and he overcame thee in the match, 
for he had the greater strength. Then at morn- 
ing-tide the sea cast him up on the coast of the 
Heathoraemas, whence he, beloved of his people, 
went to his dear fatherland, the country of the 
Brondings, and his own fair city where he was 
lord of a stronghold, and of subjects and treasure. 
Verily the son of Beanstan made good all his 
boast against thee. Wherefore, though thou hast 
ever been valiant in the rush of battle, I look to 
a grim fight, yea, and a worse issue, for thee, if 
thou darest for the space of one night abide near 
Grendel." 

32 



[529-557] BEOWULF 

Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke: '^Well! thou 
hast said a deal about Breca in thy drunkenness, 
Unferth my friend, and hast talked much of his 
adventure. The truth now I tell, that I had more 
sea strength, more battling with the waves, than 
any man else. We talked of this when boys, and 
boasted, being yet in the days of our youth, that 
we would venture our lives out at sea; and we per- 
formed it even so. Naked in our hands, we held 
our hard swords as we swam, purposing to defend 
us against the whales. He, nowise swifter on the 
flood, could not swim far from me through the 
waves, nor would I part from him. Thus we two 
were in the sea for the space of five nights,^ till the 
flood, the tossing waves, coldest of weathers, and 
darkening night drove us apart, and a fierce north 
wind beat down upon us; — rough were the waves. 
The wrath of the sea-fish was roused; then my 
shirt of mail, hard and hand-wrought, was of help 
to me against the foes; my woven armor, gold- 
adorned, lay upon my breast. An evil monster 
dragged me to the bottom; the grim foe held me 
fast in its clutch; yet it was granted me to strike 
the creature with the point of my war-sword; the 

^ Is this to be understood as a correction of Unferth's 
extravagance in saying seven? 

33 



BEOWULF [557-581? 

fierce struggle carried off the mighty sea-beast by 
my hand.^ 

"Thus did the evil creatures often press me 
hard, but as was meet, I served them well with 
my war-sword; they had no joyous fill, by eating 
me, wicked destroyers, sitting round their feast 
nigh the bottom of the sea; but on the morrow, 
wounded by my sword, slain by the dagger, they 
lay up along the sea-strand so that they could 
nevermore hinder seafarers on their course in the 
deep channel. 

** Light came from the east, the bright beacon 
of the Lord; the waves were stilled, and I could 
descry the sea-headlands, those wind-swept walls. 
Wyrd often saveth the warrior not doomed to die, 
if he be of good courage. Howbeit, it was granted 
me to slay nine sea-beasts with the sword. Never 
yet have I heard of a more desperate nightly 
struggle under the vault of heaven, nor of a man 
more sore beset in ocean-streams; yet I escaped 
with my life from the clutch of my foes, though 
spent with my adventure. The sea, the current 
of the flood, bore me on to the land of the Finns. 

''Naught have I heard of like exploits on thy 

* This fight should be compared with the encounter with 
GrendePs mother, pages 75 fT. 

34 



8582-609] BEOWULF 

part, naught of the terror of thy sword. Breca 
never yet, nay, nor either of you, hath wrought 
so boldly in the play of battle with blood-stained 
swords — ^I boast not much of that — though thou 
wast the slayer of thine own brethren, thy next 
of kin; for that thou shalt be damned in hell, 
good though thy wit may be. I say to thee truly, 
thou son of Ecglaf, that Grendel, the fell monster, 
had never wrought against thy lord so many awful 
deeds, this shame in Heorot, were thy mind and 
heart so fierce in battle as thou thyself sayest. 
But he has found that he need not greatly fear 
the enmity, the dread attack, of thy people, the 
Victor-Scyldings. He takes forced tribute from 
you; he spares none of the Danish people, but he 
preys at will upon you; he kills and feasts, 
and looks not for resistance from the Spear- 
Danes. I, however, will show him ere long the 
strength and courage of the Geats in fight. There- 
after let him who may, go proudly to the mead- 
drinking when the morning-light of another day, 
the sun in its radiance, shines from the south over 
the children of men." 

Then rejoiced the giver of treasure, the gray- 
haired king, famous in battle; the prince of 
the Bright-Danes trusted in him for help; the 

35 



BEOWULF [609-634] 

shepherd of the people heard from Beowulf his 
firm resolve. And the laughter ^ of the thanes 
arose; loud rang the din and joyous were their 
words. 

Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's queen, went forth, 
mindful of courtesies; in her gold array she greeted 
the men in the hall. The noble lady first gave the 
cup to him who guarded the land of the East-Danes; 
she bade him, beloved of his people, be blithe at 
the beer-drinking. The victorious^ king partook 
in gladness of the feast and the hall-cup. Then 
the lady of the Helmings moved about to old and 
young in every part of the hall, handing the costly 
cup, until the moment came when the diademed 
queen, noble of mind, bore the cup to Beowulf. 
She greeted the lord of the Geats, and thanked 
God, discreet in her words, that the desire of her 
heart was brought to pass, that she might put her 
trust in some hero for relief from all her aflBiction. 
That warrior, fierce in strife, received the cup 
from Wealhtheow; and then, eager for the fight, 
Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke and said: "I 
made this vow when I put to sea and embarked 
with my band of men; that I would either wholly 

^ Perhaps at the discomfiture of Unferth. 
^ The epithet, as often, is purely formal. 

36 



[634-660] BEOWULF 

fulfil the desire of your people, or fall in struggle, 
fast in the grip of the fiend. I will bravely accom- 
plish noble deeds or abide mine end in this mead- 
hall." These words, these boastings of the Geat, 
were well-pleasing to the lady; the noble queen, in 
her array of gold, went to sit by her lord. 

Then again as of old ^ the great word was spoken 
in that hall; joyous was the company — there was 
the sound of a mighty people — ^until of a sudden 
the son of Healfdene was minded to go to his even- 
ing rest; for he knew that the monster intended 
war upon the high hall, as soon as men could no 
more see the light of the sun, and shadowy crea- 
tures came gliding forth, wan beneath the clouds, 
night darkening over all.^ The whole company 
arose. Hrothgar greeted Beowulf — hero greeted 
hero — and wished him well, wished him the mas- 
tery in the wine-hall, and spoke this word: "Never, 
since I could lift hand and shield, have I entrusted 
unto any man this royal hall of the Danes, save now 
to thee. Have thou and hold this best of houses; 
bethink thee of thy mighty deeds, show forth thy 
valiant strength, be watchful against the foe. Thy 



^ Before the coming of Grendel; or perhaps, before 
Wealhtheow's entry. 

2 Cf. Macbeth 3. 2, 1. 50. 

37 



BEOWULP [660-680] 

desires shall not be unsatisfied, if thou escape with 
thy life from the great adventure." 

X 

They leave Beowulf and his men alone in the hall. Grendel 
draws nigh. 

And Hrothgar, lord of the Scyldings, went out 
of the hall with his company of men; for the war- 
rior-chief was minded to go unto Wealhtheow, his 
queen and consort. The glorious king,i as men 
have learned, had set a guardian in the hall to wait 
for Grendel; Beowulf did special service for the 
lord of the Danes, keeping watch against the com- 
ing of the monster. Verily, the chief of the Geats 
trusted surely in his mighty strength and in the 
favor of the Lord. Then he put off his iron byrnie 
and took the helmet from his head; his jeweled 
sword, choicest of weapons, he gave to his thane, 
bidding him take charge of his war-armor. Then, 
ere he mounted upon his bed, Beowulf, the great 
Geat, spoke a boastful word: **I deem myself no- 
wise lesser than Grendel in my deeds of warfare; 
therefore, not with the sword will I quell him and 
take his life, though I am fully able. He knows 
^ Perhaps meaning God. 

38 



(681-705I BEOWULF 

not the use of good weapons — how to strike at me, 
and hew my shield — famed though he be in evil 
deeds; but we two this night will forego the sword 
if he dare come to the fight without a weapon. 
Thereafter let all-knowing God, the holy Lord, 
adjudge the victory to whichsoever it be, as seem- 
eth meet to Him." 

Then the brave warrior laid him down and the 
pillow received the face of the hero, and round 
about him many a bold seaman sank down upon 
his bed. None of them thought ever again to reach 
the home he loved, his kinsfolk, or the town where 
he was bred; for they had heard that a bloody death 
had already destroyed far too many of the Danish 
men in that wine-hall. But the Lord wove victory 
for them, granting unto the Weder ^ people com- 
fort and help, inasmuch as they were all to over- 
come their foe by one man's might and by his 
single strength. And thus the truth is manifest 
that Almighty God hath ruled mankind throughout 
all time. 

In the gloom of the night came stalking that 

ranger of the dark. The watchmen ^ slept, they 

who had been set to guard the horn-gabled hall — 

all slept, save one — for it was well known to men 

1 The Geats. 

39 



BEOWULF [706-723] 

that the ruthless destroyer could not drag them be- 
neath the shades when the Creator willed it not. 
But Beowulf, wrathfully watching for the foe, 
awaited in anger the issue of the fight. 



XI 



Grendel comes into Heorot and devours one of the men, 
Beowulf grapples the monster. 

Then from the moorland, beneath the misty hill- 
sides, came Grendel drawing near; and God's 
wrath was on him. The deadly foe was thinking 
to ensnare some man in that high hall. On he 
strode beneath the clouds, until he could see full 
well the wine-hall, the gilded house of men, all 
bright with gold. This was not the first time that 
he had sought out Hrothgar's home, but never in 
all the days of his life, before or since, did he 
meet among hall-thanes, warriors more sturdy. 
So the creature, of all joys bereft, came roaming 
on unto the hall. The door, though fast in fire- 
hardened bands, sprang open straightway, soon 
as he touched it with his hands.^ Thus, plotting 
evil, he burst open the entrance to the hall, for he 

^ An evidence of Grendel's magic power. The incident 
seems to be imitated in the Legend of St. Andrew, 1. looi. 

40 



[723-753] BEOWULF 

was swollen with rage. Quickly thereafter the 
fiend was treading the bright-paved floor, moving 
on in wrathful mood. Out of his eyes started a 
loathsome light, most like to flame. He saw in 
the hall many warriors, a kindred band together, a 
group of clansmen all asleep. And he laughed in 
his heart. The cursed monster thought to take 
the life from each body, ere the day broke; for the 
hope of a plenteous feast was come to him. But 
he was not fated to devour any more of the race 
of men after that night. 

The mighty kinsman of Hygelac was watching 
to see how the deadly foe would go about his swift 
attacks. The monster thought not of tarrying, 
but on a sudden, for his first move, he seized upon 
a sleeping thane, rent him in pieces unawares, bit 
into the flesh, drank the blood from the veins, and 
swallowed him in huge pieces. In a moment he 
had devoured the whole corpse, even the hands 
and feet. He stepped on nearer and seized with 
his hands the great-hearted warrior on his bed. 
The fiend clutched at him with his claw, but Beo- 
wulf quickly grasped it with deadly purpose, fas- 
tening upon the arm. Straightway that master of 
evils discovered that never in this world in all the 
corners of the earth, had he met in any man a might- 

41 



BEOWULF (753-776) 

ler hand-grip. He was troubled in heart and soul; 
but he could get away never the faster for that. 
He was eager to be off; he wished to flee away into 
the darkness, to rejoin the horde of devils. He 
was not faring there as in former days. Then the 
good kinsman of Hygelac bethought him of his 
speech at even ^ ; he stood upright and grappled 
him fast; his fingers burst and bled.^ The giant 
was making off. The hero followed close. The 
monster was minded to fling loose, if he could, and 
flee away thence to the fen-hollows; but he knew 
that the strength of his arm was in the grasp of an 
angry foe. A dire journey had the destroyer made 
to Heorot. 

Loud rang the lordly hall. All the Danes dwell- 
ing in that city, nobles and heroes every one, were 
struck with terror. Furious were both the mad- 
dened wrestlers. The house reechoed. It was a 
great wonder that the wine-hall withstood these 
battling foemen, that the fair building fell not to 
the ground; save that all within and without it was 
so firmly strengthened by iron bands, cunningly 
forged. There, as I have heard men tell, many a 

* See pages 35 ff. 

' Grendel's fingers burst as a result of Beowulf s grip. 
Cf. Nihelungenlied B 675. 

42 



[776-798] BEOWULF 

mead-bench, gold-adorned, started from its base, 
where the fierce ones were struggling. The wise 
councilors of the Scyldings had thought that none 
among men would ever be able to wreck by force 
this goodly house, bedecked with bones, nor to 
destroy it by craft, unless perchance the fire's em- 
brace should swallow it in smoke.^ 

A noise arose, oft renewed; a ghastly terror fell 
on all the North-Danes who heard the shrieking in 
the house, heard God's enemy yelling out his hor- 
rid song, chant of the vanquished — Hell's captive 
howling o'er his wound. He held him fast who in 
his strength was the mightiest of men in the day of 
this life. 

XII 

Beowulf has the victory, and tears out GrendeVs arm. The 
monster escapes to the fen with his death-wound. 

The defence of heroes would by no means let 
the murderer escape alive — he counted his life of 
no avail to any of the people. There many a war- 
rior of Beowulf's drew his old sword; they thought 
to protect the life of their lord, the great prince, if 
so they might. They knew not, those brave war- 
^ A hint of the subsequent fate of Heorot; see page 13. 

43 



BEOWULF [798^826] 

riors, when they plunged into the fight, thinking to 
hack the monster on every side and take his life, 
that not the choicest blade on earth nor battle-axe 
could graze that foul destroyer; for he had bound 
by a spell weapons of war and every edged sword. 
Yet he was doomed to die a wretched death in the 
day of this life; the outcast spirit must needs jour- 
ney far away into the power of fiends. There 
found that foe to God, who oft ere now in mirthful 
mood had wrought mischief for the children of 
men, that his wound-proof body availed him not, 
for the valiant kinsman of Hygelac had got him by 
the hand. Hateful to each was the life of the 
other. The evil beast endured sore pain of body. 
Upon his shoulder a gaping wound appeared; the 
sinews sprang asunder, the flesh was rent apart. 
The glory of the fight was given to Beowulf. 
Grendel, sick to death, was doomed to flee thence 
and find out his joyless abode beneath the fen- 
banks. Full well he knew that the end of his life 
was come, the appointed number of his days. By 
that deadly fight the desire of all the Danes was 
satisfied. 

Thus he who came from far, wise and valiant 
in spirit, had cleansed Hrothgar's hall and freed it 
from danger. He rejoiced in the night's work, in 

44 



[827-851] BEOWULF 

his heroic deeds. The lord of the Geats had made 
good his boast to the East-Danes, for he had saved 
them out of all their affliction, the harrowing tor- 
ment, no little sorrow, which they had suffered and 
were doomed to bear in sad necessity. A token of 
the fight was seen, when, beneath the spacious 
roof, the warrior flung down the hand and arm and 
shoulder — the whole limb and claw of Grendel. 

XIII 

The Danes rejoiee. They go and look upon the mere whither 
Grendel escaped, and return to Heorot, racing their 
horses and listening to the tale of the hard. 

In the morning, as I have heard, many warriors 
were about the gift-hall; chieftains came from far 
and near to gaze upon the wonder, the traces of the 
foe. Grievous seemed his death to none of those 
who beheld the tracks of the inglorious one; how 
he, weary at heart, vanquished in strife, doomed 
and hunted, took his last steps to the Nicors' ^ mere. 
There the waters were seething with blood, the 
awful surge of the waves welled up, all mingled 
with blood and hot gore. Death-doomed he dis- 
colored all the flood, when, in his joyless lair, he 
* Sea-beasts*. 

45 



BEOWU LF [851-874] 

laid down his life, his heathen soul; there Hell got 
him. 

Thence returned the thanes and many a youth 
from their glad journey, proudly riding from the 
mere upon their horses, . heroes upon white steeds. 
There was proclaimed the greatness of Beowulf. 
Full oft 'twas said that south or north, between 
the seas, o'er all the broad earth beneath the arch 
of heaven, none among shield-bearing warriors 
was of higher worth, none more worthy of king- 
dom. They did not in the least say aught against 
their own kind lord, gracious Hrothgar, for he was 
a good king. 

At times the warriors made their yellow steeds 
gallop or run a race, where the ways seemed good 
to them and known for their excellence. 

At times one of the king's thanes, whose memory 
was full of songs,^ laden with vaunting rimes, who 
knew old tales without number, invented a new 
story, a truthful tale; the man deftly narrated the 
adventure of Beowulf, and cunningly composed 
other skilful lays with interwoven words. 

^ Songs boasting of personal prowess, or of the might 
of national heroes. 



46 



[874-898] BEOWULF 



THE LAY OF SIGEMUND 

The bard sings how Sigemund, the Volsung, slew a mighty 
dragon ; and how Heremod, a Danish Jung, was a sore 
burden to his people, mueh unlike Beowulf. 

He told everything that he had heard of the mighty 
exploits of Sigemund, much that had ne'er been told: — 
the battle -toil of the Waelsing,^ distant joumeyings, feuds 
and crimes, of which the children of men knew nothing, 
save Fitela,^ the nephew who was with his uncle when he 
would repeat aught touching these things; for they were 
comrades at need in every strife. They had slain with 
their swords many of the monster broods. Sigemund, 
after his death, attained no little glory, since, brave in 
battle, he had slain the dragon who kept guard over the 
treasure. Alone beneath the gray rock, the prince ventured 
the daring deed, nor was Fitela with him. Nevertheless, 
it was granted unto him that his sword, the noble iron, 
pierced the wondrous serpent and stood fast in the wall. 
The dragon died the death. The dread warrior had w^on 
by his valor the enjoyment of the treasure, all at his own 
will. The son of Waels ^ loaded his sea-boat and bore the 
glittering treasures into the bosom of his ship. Heat 
consumed the serpent. In his daring exploits he was by 
far the most famed of adventurers among the nations, 

^ Volsung. See the Norse saga. This is one of the 
earliest extant references to the Volsung myth, centuries 
older than the Norse saga and the German poem. 

^ Sinfiotli, his sister's son. 

' Volsung, Sigemund. 

47 



BEOWULF [899-924] 

this defence of warriors; wherefore he throve in days 
gone by. 

After Heremod*s* war-strength waned, his power and 
might, he was betrayed into the hands of his enemies, the 
Eotens,^ and sent speedily away. Overwhelming sorrows 
disabled him too long; he became a lifelong care to his 
people, to all his nobles. Oft had the hero's life been 
bewailed in former days by many a prudent man, who 
had trusted his lord for protection from harm — trusted that 
the prince would prosper, attain his father's lordship, 
guard the nation, the treasure and sheltering city, the realm 
of heroes, fatherland of the Scyldings. Beowulf, the kins- 
man of Hygelac, was more gracious to all the children of 
men and to his friends. Sorrow befell Heremod. 

At times, in races with their steeds, they meas- 
ured the yellow roads. And the morning-light 
was thrust forth and urged onwards.^ Many a 
stout-hearted warrior went to the high hall to see 
the great wonder. Likewise, the king himself, 
guardian of the treasure, famed for his virtues, 
walked forth in glory from the bower with a great 
company; and his queen with him, amidst a bevy 

^ This incident, so awkwardly introduced, is probably 
intended to contrast the craven with the hero. Sigemund 
is compared, Heremod contrasted, with Beowulf. Here- 
mod was an old king of the Danes — Scyld's predecessor 
possibly. 

^ Finns. 

^ The metaphorical expression may be derived from 
the launching of a boat. Day advanced. 

48 



[924-946] BEOWU LF 

of maidens, passed up the path to the mead- 
hall. 

XIV 

Hrothgar and his men look upon GrendeVs arm in Heorot. 
The king and Beowulf speak touching the flght. 

Hrothgar spoke: — he went to the hall, stood 
in the entrance, gazed on the high roof bright with 
gold, and on the arm of Grendel: ^^Now for this 
sight be thanks to God straightway! Much evil, 
many hardships, have I endured at the hands of 
Grendel; but God, the King of glory, can evermore 
work wonder upon wonder. It was but now that 
I thought never to be delivered from any of my 
woe, while this best of houses stood drenched with 
blood and gore. The affliction scattered all my 
wise men, who thought that they could nevermore 
defend this stronghold of the people from hated 
foes, from demons and devils. Now, through the 
might of the Lord, a man hath wrought a deed 
which all of us erewhile with our craft were unable 
to compass. Lo! the woman, whoe'er she be, that 
gave birth to this son among the tribes of men may 
say, if she be yet alive, that our God of old hath 
been gracious unto her in child-bearing. 

49 



BEOWULF [946-975] 

"Now, O Beowulf, thou best of men, I will love 
thee like a son within my heart. Hold fast hence- 
forth this our new-made kinship. Thou shalt not 
lack any good thing of earth within my power. 
Full oft for lesser deeds have I given rich gifts of 
honor unto a meaner warrior, a weaker in the fight. 
By thy deeds thou hast attained that thy glory liveth 
for ever and ever. May the Almighty ever re- 
ward thee as now He hath." 

Then spoke Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow: *^ Fight- 
ing with great good-will, we wrought that mighty 
deed; boldly we met the power of the unknown. 
But I would indeed that thou couldst have seen the 
creature himself in full gear, the fiend wearied nigh 
to fainting. Grappling him there, I thought to fix 
him fast on his death-bed so that he should lie 
struggling for life in my grip, unless his body van- 
ished utterly away.^ But I could not stop his go- 
ing, for the Lord willed it not. I did not cleave 
well unto the mortal foe, for the fiend was too pow- 
erful upon his feet. Yet, in saving his life, he left 
his claw behind, his arm and shoulder, to mark his 
track. But the wretched creature has not bought 
him any solace thus; none the longer will the evil- 
doer live, weighed down by sin. But pain has 
* By virtue of his magic power. 

50 



[976-998] BEOWULF 

got him close in its deadly clasp, within its baleful 
bonds. There, stained with sin, shall he abide the 
Great Doom — how the glorious Judge shall assign 
him his portion." 

Then, in his boastful speech, that son of Ecglaf ^ 
kept more silent touching warlike deeds, after all 
the nobles had beheld the arm before them, there 
upon the lofty roof, the fiendish claw, won by the 
hero's might. Most like to steel were all the nails, 
the hand-spurs, horrible spikes of the heathen foe. 
All declared that no warrior's sword, albeit keen, 
could have grazed the monster so as to strike off 
that bloody talon. 



XV 



They adorn Heorot for the feast. Hrothgar bestows gifts 
upon Beowulf. 

Straightway it was bidden that Heorot be 
adorned within by the hand of man. Many men 
there were and women to prepare that hall of feast- 
ing and of guests. Along the walls shone hang- 
ings wrought with gold, many wondrous sights for 
all who gaze upon such things. That bright house 
had been greatly shattered, though all within was 
1 Unferth. 

SI 



BEOWULF [998-1021] 

fast with iron bands. The hinges had been torn 
away. The roof alone was saved unhurt, when 
the monster, stained with wicked deeds, despairing 
of life, turned him to flight. 

Death is not easily escaped, try it who will; but 
every living soul among the children of men dwell- 
ing upon the earth goeth of necessity unto his des- 
tined place, where the body, fast in its narrow bed, 
sleepeth after feast.^ 

Now the time was come for the son of Healfdene 
to go into the hall; the king himself was minded to 
partake of the feast. Never have I heard that that 
people in greater company gathered more bravely 
about their king. Then those happy men sat them 
down upon the benches; they rejoiced in the feast- 
ing. Their great-hearted kinsmen, Hrothgar and 
Hrothulf,2 with fair courtesy quaffed many a bowl 
of mead in the high hall. Heorot was filled with 
friends. In that day the Scylding people had done 
no deeds of guile. 

Then the son of Healfdene gave to Beowulf, in 
reward of victory, a golden ensign, a broidered 

^ This impressive, but irrelevant, passage is probably 
a bit of interpolation. 

^ Hrothgar' s nephew, the Hrolf Kraki of Norse literature. 
His later quarrel with his uncle is prophetically hinted in 
the following sentences. 

52 



c^ 



[1022-1046] BEOWULF 

banner, a helmet, and a byrnie; many men saw a 
mighty treasure-sword borne to the hero. Beo- 
wulf quaffed the cup in the hall. He needed not 
to be ashamed before warriors of those sumptuous 
gifts. Few have I heard of at the ale-bench who 
gave to others in more friendly wise four treasures, 
gold-adorned. About the crown of the helmet 
there was a wreath all wrought with wires, which 
protected the head, so that the tempered sword 
could not greatly injure it, when the shielded war- 
rior went out against his foe. 

Moreover, the defence of heroes bade that eight 
horses with golden bridles be led into the hall ^ un- 
der the barriers. Upon one of them there was a 
saddle, cunningly wrought, adorned with jewels; — 
it had been the battle-seat of the high king, when 
the son of Healfdene was minded to take part in the 
play of swords; 2 the might of the far-famed hero 
failed never at the front, while the slain were fall- 
ing. And then the prince of the Ingwines^ gave 
over to Beowulf the possession of these, both the 
horses and the armor; bade him enjoy them well. 
Thus, like a true man, did the great lord, the 

^ It is a common occurrence in old ballads and romances 
to ride a horse directly into the hall. Cf. Malory's Morte 
Darthuvy 2, 3, et passim. 



^ War. ^ Danes. 

S3 



AL 



BEOWULF 61047-1064] 

guardian of treasure and heroes, repay the storm 
of the fight with horses and treasure, so that none 
can dispraise them, none who wills to speak the 
truth aright. 

XVI AND XVII 

Hrothgar lestows gifts upon Beowulf s men. The bard sings 
the lag of King Finn. 

And moreover, the lord of heroes, at the mead- 
bench, bestowed a treasure, some heirloom, upon 
each of those who crossed the ocean-paths with 
Beowulf. And he bade that gold be paid for the 
man whom Grendel had wickedly slain,i as he 
would have slain more of them, had not all-know- 
ing God and the hero's courage turned that fate 
from them; for the Lord ruled over all the children 
of men, even as now He doth; wherefore is under- 
standing best in every place, and prudence of heart. 
He who long dwelleth in this world endureth much 
of good and evil in these days of strife. 

There were singing and music blended together 
concerning Healf dene's battle-chieftain: ^ the harp 

^ So that Beowulf should not lose the weregild for his 
murdered man. 

^ Hnaef in the following tale. 

S4 



[1065-1085] BEOWULF 

was struck, a lay oft sung, when Hrothgar's bard 
was to awaken joy in hall along the mead-bench. 



THE LAY OF KING FINN 

How Hnaef of the Seyldings fell in an aneient feud with 
Finn, king of the Eotens, he who had carried off his 
sister, Hildehurh ; and how Hengest, brother to Hnaef 
and Hildehurh, made a treaty with Finn, and dwelt 
with the Eotens for a season, until they feared him 
and slew him. And of the last great fight when Finn 
was slain; and how Queen Hildehurh was restored 
to her people. 

Hnaef of the Seyldings, the hero of the Half-Danes, 
was doomed to fall upon the Frisian slaughter-field at the 
hands of the sons of Finn, what time the peril got hold on 
them. Nor in truth did Hildeburh need to praise the 
good faith of the Eotens; she, all blameless, was bereft 
of her dear sons and brothers in the battle; wounded by 
the spear they fell according to their fate — a sorrowful 
woman she. Not without cause did the daughter of Hoc 1 
bewail Fate's decree when mom was come — when she be- 
held her murdered kinsmen beneath the sky, there where 
she had erstwhile had the greatest of earth's joys. War 
swept away all the thanes of Finn, save but a few, so that 
he could nowise give battle to Hengest upon the field, 
nor save by fighting the wretched remnant from the 
prince's thane. But the Frisians offered Hengest terms: 
1 Hildeburh. 

55 



BEOWULF [1086-1120] 

that they would fully prepare for him another great build- 
ing, a hall and high throne, so that he might have equal 
power with the sons of the Eotens, and that Finn, son of 
Folcwald, would daily, at the giving of the gifts, do honor 
to the Danes, would do honor to the troop of Hengest 
with rings, with even as much costly treasure of plated 
gold, as that wherewith he would rejoice the Frisians in 
the mead-hall. Then on both sides they made a fast- 
binding treaty of peace; Finn swore an oath unto Hen- 
gest, absolutely and unreservedly, that he would honorably 
rule the sad remnant according to the decree of his coun- 
cilors; so that no man there by word or deed should 
break the pact, or ever do it violence by guileful craft, 
although they, lordless men, followed the slayer of their 
own prince, as they must do perforce; and if any of the 
Frisians should with taunting words recall that feud, 
then the edge of the sword was to avenge it. The oath 
was sworn and massive gold was brought up from the 
hoard. 

The best of the warriors ^ among the Battle-Scyldings 
was ready at the funeral pile; upon the pyre were clearly 
to be seen the blood-stained sark, the swine of gold,^ the 
boar-helm iron-hard, and many a hero who had perished 
of his wounds — these had fallen in the struggle. And 
Hildeburh bade them commit her own son to the flames 
at Hnaef's pyre, burn the body, laying it on the pile. 
The hapless woman wept upon his shoulder, lamented 
him in song. Uprose the warrior in the flame; the 
greatest of funeral fires rolled upward to the clouds; it 
roared before the mound. The heads were melted, the 

^ Hnaef. ^ Cf. page 23. 

S6 



[1I2I-1IS3] BEOWULF 

gashes were burst open, the blood gushed forth from the 
wounds upon the body. Flame, that greediest of spirits, 
swallowed up all of both peoples whom war had snatched 
away. Gone was their glory. 

Bereft of their friends, the warriors departed to their 
dwellings, to see Friesland, their homes, and high city. 
And Hengest dwelt with Finn all that blood-stained 
winter, wholly without strife; yet he was mindful of his 
native land, although he could not drive over the mere his 
ring-stemmed ship. The sea surged in the storm, fought 
with the wind. Winter locked the waves in its icy bond, 
till that a new year came unto the dwellings of earth, as 
still it doth, and the days gloriously bright which ever 
observe the season. Thus was the winter spent, and fair 
was the bosom of earth. 

Then the exile ^ was minded to be gone; the guest de- 
parted from the courts. But he was thinking more of 
vengeance than of the sea-voyage, if haply he might bring 
to pass a deadly conflict and so commemorate the sons of 
the Eotens. Therefore he escaped not the lot of mortals 
when the son of Hunlaf thrust into his breast the flashing 
sword, best of blades; wherefore its edges were well 
known among the Eotens. Likewise, thereafter, dire 
death by the sword befell the brave-hearted Finn in his 
own home, when Guthlaf and Oslaf, after the sea-journey, 
mournfully lamented the fierce struggle — blamed him for 
their share of sorrow. He could not retain the wavering 
spirit within his breast. 

And the hall was covered with the bodies of foemen, 
and King Finn, likewise, was slain in the midst of his 

^ Hengest. 

57 



BEOWULF [1153-1174] 

guardsmen, and the queen was taken. The Scylding 
warriors bore to their ships all the possessions of the 
king of the land — whatever they could find in Finn's 
home of jewels and curious gems. They bore the noble 
lady over the sea-paths to the land of the Danes, led her to 
her people. 

The lay was sung, the gleeman's tale was ended. 
Mirth rose high again, clear sounded the noise of 
revelry. The cup-bearers poured out wine from 
wondrous vessels. And Wealhtheow came forth 
with a crown of gold upon her head, and went to 
where were seated uncle and nephew, those two 
good friends; — as yet there was peace between 
them, each to the other true.^ There also sat 
Unferth, the spokesman, at the feet of the lord of 
the Scyldings; every man of them trusted his spirit, 
yea, and that he had good courage, although he 
dealt not uprightly with his kinsmen in the play 
of swords.2 

And the lady of the Scyldings spoke: ^*Take 
this cup, my sovereign lord, giver of treasure. 
Rejoice, thou prince of the people, and speak kind 
words unto the Geats, as is well-fitting. Be gra- 
cious toward the Geats and mindful of gifts; for 
now thou hast peace both far and near. It has 

^ See page 52 and note 2. 

^ See Beowulf s charge against him, page 35. 

58 



[1175-1196] BEOWULF 

been told me that thou wouldst gladly have this 
warrior for a son. Heorot, the bright gift-hall, is 
cleansed. Give, then, while thou mayst, many 
rewards, and bequeath people and realm to thy 
kinsmen, when thou must go hence unto the ap- 
pointed doom. I know that my gracious Hrothulf 
will honorably rule the youth,i if thou, lord of the 
Scyldings, leave the world ere he. I think that he 
will requite our offspring well, if he bethink him of 
our benefits toward him in time past, when he was a 
child, of all that we did for his pleasure and honor." 
Then she turned to where her sons were sitting, 
Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the offspring of 
heroes, all the youth together; and there by the 
two brothers sat that brave man, Beowulf the Geat. 

XVIII 

The queen giveth gifts to Beowulf, and a fair collar which 
King Hygelae wore in aftertime. They feast, and the 
heroes rest in Heorot, 

A CUP was borne to him, and friendly greeting 

offered, and twisted gold graciously presented him : 

two armlets, rings, and armor, and the goodliest 

of collars I have ever heard of upon earth. Never 

^ Act as regent. 

59 



BEOWULF [1197-1214] 

heard I of a fairer among the treasured jewels of 
heroes beneath the sky, ne'er since Hama bore 
away to the bright city the collar of the Brisings,! 
the fair gem and its casket; he fled the cunning 
snares of Eormanric, and chose everlasting gain.^ 
This ring had Hygelac, the Geat, grandson of 
Swerting, on his last raid,^ when, beneath his ban- 
ner, he defended his treasure and guarded the 
plunder of battle. Wyrd took him away, when he, 
foolhardy, suffered woe in feud with the Frisians; 
for that mighty chieftain bore the jewel with its 
precious stones over the arching sea; and he fell 
beneath his shield. Then the body of the king 
came into the possession of the Franks, his breast- 
mail, and the jewel, too; meaner warriors stripped 
the body after the slaughter of battle; the corpses 
of the Geats were strewed upon the field. 

^ Beowulf's collar is compared to the famous Brising 
necklace, which, according to the Elder Edda, is the prop- 
erty of the goddess Freya; apparently it later came into 
the possession of Hermanric the Ostrogoth (Eormanric), 
from whom it was stolen by one Hama. The later history 
of Beowulf s jewel follows, somewhat after the manner of 
the Homeric account of Agamemnon's sceptre. 

^ Probably entered a monastery. 

' One of the few authentic historical allusions in the 
poem. The account of the raid of ''Chochilaicus" 
(Hygelac) may be found in the Historia Francorum of 
Gregory of Tours. The event occurred about 512 

A.D. 

60 



[1214-1241] BEOWULF 

The hall resounded. Wealhtheow spoke before 
the host and said: ^^ Receive with joy this collar, 
dear Beowulf, beloved youth, and use this armor 
— treasures of our people — and prosper well; show 
thyself strong; and be kind in thy counsel to these 
youths. I will be mindful of thy reward. Thou 
hast brought it to pass that men shall give thee 
honor evermore, in all the earth, far as the sea en- 
compasseth its windswept walls. Be, while thou 
livest, a prosperous prince; much treasure truly I 
wish thee. Be thou friendly to my son, guarding 
his happy state.^ Here is each hero true to the 
other, gentle of spirit, and loyal to his lord; the 
thanes are obedient, the people ready at call. Ye 
warriors, cheered with wine, do as I bid ye." 

Then she went to her seat. There was the 
choicest of feasts; the men drank wine. They 
knew not Wyrd, cruel destiny, as it had gone forth 
of old unto many a hero. 

When even was come, and Hrothgar, the ruler, 
had departed to his lodge unto his evening rest, 
countless heroes guarded the house as they had oft 
of yore. They made bare the bench and spread 
upon it beds and pillows. Doomed and nigh unto 

* Probably in case of his father's death, which she re- 
ferred to a moment since. 

61 



BEOWULF [I1241-1250] 

death, one of the revelers laid him down to rest in 
the hall. At their heads they placed their battle- 
shields, bright bucklers. There upon the bench 
above each hero were clearly to be seen the tower- 
ing helm, the ringed coat of mail, the mighty spear. 
It was their wont to be ever ready for battle, 
whether at home or in the field, ready for either, 
even at the moment when their chief had need 
of them. That was a good people. 



62 



[I25I-I365] 



Part II 

BEOWULF AND GRENDEUS 
MOTHER 

XIX 

GrevdeVs mother eometh to avenge her son. She seizes 
Msehere in Heorot. 

Then they sank to sleep. But one paid dearly 
for his evening rest, as had often happened when 
Grendel haunted that gold-hall and wrought evil 
till his end came, death for his sins. It now be- 
came evident to men that, though the foe was dead, 
there yet lived for a long time after the fierce com- 
bat, an avenger — GrendePs mother. The witch, 
woman-monster, brooded over her woes, she who 
was doomed to dwell among the terrors of the 
waters, in the cold streams, from the time when 
Cain slew with the sword his only brother, his own 
father's son; then he departed, banished, marked 
with murder, fleeing fram the joys of men and 
dwelt in the wilderness. From him there woke to 

63 



BEOWULF [1266-1289] 

life many Fate-sent demons. One of these was 
Grendel,^ a fierce wolf, full of hatred. But he had 
found at Heorot a man on the watch, waiting 
to give him battle. Then the monster grappled 
with him, but Beowulf bethought him of his mighty 
strength, the gift of God, and in Him as the 
Almighty he trusted for favor, for help and succor; 
in this trust he overcame the fiend, laid low that 
spirit of hell. Then Grendel, enemy to mankind, 
went forth joyless to behold the abode of death. 
But his mother, still wroth and ravenous, deter- 
mined to go a sad journey to avenge the death of 
her son; and she came to Heorot, where the Ring- 
Danes lay asleep about the hall. Straightway 
terror fell upon the heroes once again when Gren- 
dePs mother burst in upon them. But the fear was 
less than in the time of Grendel, even as the strength 
of maids, or a woman's rage in war, is less than an 
armed man's, what time the hilted sword, hammer- 
forged, stained with blood, cleaves with keen blade 
the boar on foeman's helmet. There above the 
benches in the hall the hard-edged sword was 

^ This repetition of the events of the earlier part may 
serve to show that the author was conscious of his transi- 
tion to a new subject. It is even possible that the recita- 
tion of the story may sometimes have begun at or near 
this point. 

64 



[1289-1314] BEOWULF 

drawn, and many a shield upreared, fast in the 
hand; none thought of helm or broad corslet when 
the terror got hold of him. She was in haste, for 
she was discovered; she wished to get thence with 
her life. Of a sudden she clutched one of the 
heroes, and was off to the fen. The mighty war- 
rior, the famed hero whom the hag murdered in 
his sleep, was the dearest to Hrothgar of all the 
men in his band of comrades between the seas. 
Beowulf was not there; for another lodging-place 
had been assigned to the mighty Geat after the 
giving of treasure. A cry arose in Heorot. All 
in its gore she had taken the famous arm; ^ sorrow 
was renewed in the dwellings. No good exchange 
was that which cost both peoples the lives of friends. 
Then the old king, the hoary w^arrior, was sad 
at heart when he learned that his chief thane had 
lost his life, that his dearest friend was dead. 
Straightway Beowulf, the hero blessed with vic- 
tory, was brought to the bower; the prince, the 
noble warrior, went at daybreak with his comrades 
to where the prudent king was waiting to know if 
perchance the Almighty would ever work a happy 
change for him, after grievous tidings. And the 
hero, famed in war, strode up the hall with his 
^ Grendel's; see page 50. 

6s 



BEOWULF [1317-1340] 

band of thanes — ^while loud the room resounded — 
to greet the wise lord of the Ingwines; he asked 
if his night had been restful, as he had wished. 



XX 



Hrothgar lamenteth for Msehere, He tells Beowulf of the 
monster and her haunt, 

Hrothgar, defence of the Scyldings, spoke: 
*^Ask not after bliss, — sorrow in hall is renewed 
for the Danish folk. ^Eschere is dead, Yrmen- 
laf's elder brother, my councilor and my adviser, 
who stood by me, shoulder to shoulder, when we 
warded our heads in battle, while hosts rushed 
together and helmets crashed. Like ^schere 
should every noble be — an excellent hero. He 
was slain in Heorot by a restless destroyer. 

'^I know not whither the awful monster, exult- 
ing in her prey, has turned her homeward steps, 
rejoicing in her fill. She has avenged the strife 
in which thou slewest Grendel yesternight, grap- 
pling fiercely with him, for that he too long had 
wasted and destroyed my people. He fell in the 
fight, forfeiting his life, and now another is come, 
a mighty and a deadly foe, thinking to avenge her 
son. She has carried the feud further; wherefore 

66 



[1341-1370] BEOWULF 

it may well seem a heavy woe to many a thane 
who grieveth in spirit for his treasure-giver. Low 
lies the hand which did satisfy' all your desires. 

^*I have heard the people dwelling in my land, 
hall-rulers, say that they had often seen two such 
mighty stalkers of the marches, spirits of other- 
where, haunting the moors. One of them, as 
they could know full well, was like unto a woman; 
the other miscreated being, in the image of man 
wandered in exile (save that he was larger than 
any man), whom in the olden time the people 
named Grendel. They knew not if he ever had 
a father among the spirits of darkness. They 
dwell in a hidden land amid wolf-haunted slopes 
and savage fen-paths, the wind-swept cliffs where 
the mountain-stream falleth, shrouded in the 
mists of the headlands, its flood flowing under- 
ground. It is not far thence in measure of miles 
that the mere lieth. Over it hang groves in hoary 
whiteness; a forest with fixed roots bendeth over 
the waters. There in the night-tide is a dread 
wonder seen — a fire on the flood. There is none 
of the children of men so wise that he knoweth 
the depths thereof. Although hard pressed by 
hounds, the heath-ranging stag, with mighty horns, 
may seek out that forest, driven from afar, yet 

67 



BEOWULF h7o-i3«] 

sooner will he yield up life and breath upon the 
bank than hide his head within its waters. Cheer- 
less is the place. Thence the surge riseth, wan 
to the clouds, when the winds stir up foul weather, 
till the air thicken and the heavens weep. 

^^Now once again help rests with thee alone. 
Thou knowest not yet the spot, the savage place 
where thou mayst find the sinful creature. Seek 
it out, if thou dare. I will reward thee, as I did 
before, with olden treasures and with twisted 
gold, if thou get thence alive." 

XXI 

They traek GrendeVs mother to the mere. Beowulf slayeth 
a sea-monster. 

Then spoke Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow: "Sor- 
row not, thou wise man. It is better for a man 
to avenge his friend than mourn exceedingly. 
Each of us must abide the end of the worldly life, 
wherefore let him who may, win glory ere he die; 
thus shall it be best for a warrior when life is past. 
Arise, O guardian of the kingdom, let us straight- 
way go and look upon the tracks of GrendePs 
dam. I promise thee this: she shall not escape 
to the covert, neither into the bosom of the earth, 

68 



ti39J-M34] BEOWULF 

nor to mountain-wood, nor to the bottom of iht 
sea, go where she will. This day do thou bear 
in patience every woe of thine, as I expect of thee." 

Then the old man leapt up and thanked God, 
the mighty Lord, for what that man had said. 
And they bridled Hrothgar's horse, a steed with 
curling mane. The wise prince rode stately forth, 
and with him fared a troop of shielded warriors. 
Footprints were clearly seen along the forest-path, 
her track across the land. She had gone forth, 
over the murky moor, and borne away lifeless that 
best of thanes, who with Hrothgar ruled the hall. 

And the offspring of princes went over steep and 
rocky slopes and narrow ways, straight lonely 
passes, an unknown course; over sheer cliffs and 
many a sea-beast's haunt. He, with a few pru- 
dent men, went on before to view the spot, until 
he suddenly came upon mountain-trees overhang- 
ing the gray rock — a cheerless wood. Beneath it 
lay a water, bloody and troubled. All the Danes, 
all the friends of the Scyldings, each hero and many 
a thane, sad at heart then suffered sore distress; 
for there upon the sea-cliff they found the head 
of ^schere. The waters were seething with blood 
and hot gore — the people gazed. 

At times the horn sang out an eager lay. All 

69 



BEOWULF [1424-1450] 

the troop sat down. They saw in the water many 
of the serpent kind, strange dragons swimming 
the deep. Likewise they saw sea-monsters lying 
along the headland-slopes, serpents and wild 
beasts, such as oft at morning-tide make a journey, 
fraught w^ith sorrow, over the sail-road. They 
sped away, bitter and swollen with wrath, when 
they heard the sound, the song of the battle-horn. 
But the lord of the Geats with bow and arrow 
took the life of one of them, as it buffeted the 
waves, so that the hard shaft pierced the vitals; 
he was then the slower in swimming the sea, for 
death seized him. Straightway he was hard 
pressed with the sharp barbs of hooked spears, 
fiercely attacked, and drawn up on the clifiF, a 
wondrous wave-tosser. The men looked on the 
strange and grisly beast. 

Then Beowulf girded him with noble armor; 
he took no thought for his life. His byrnie, hand- 
woven, broad, and of many colors, was to search 
out the deeps. This armor could well protect 
his body so that the grip of the foe could not harm 
his breast, nor the clutch of the angry beast do 
aught against his life. Moreover, the white hel- 
met guarded his head, even that which was to 
plunge into the depths of the mere, passing through 

70 



I14SI-1472] BEOWULF 

the tumult of the waters; it was all decked with 
gold, encircled with noble chains, as the weapon- 
smith wrought it in days of yore; wondrously he 
made it, and set it about with boar-figures so that 
no brand nor battle-sword could bite it.^ 

Nor was that the least of his mighty aids which 
Hrothgar's spokesman ^ lent him in his need — the 
name of the hilted sword was Hrunting, and it 
was one of the greatest among olden treasures; 
its blade was of iron, stained with poison-twigs, 
hardened with blood of battle; it had never failed 
any man whose hand had wielded it in fight, any 
who durst go on perilous adventures to the field 
of battle — it was not the first time that it had need 
to do high deeds. Surely when the son of Ecglaf,^ 
strong in his might, lent that weapon to a better 
swordsman, he did not remember what he had 
aid when drunk with wine; as for him, he dursts 
not risk his life beneath the warring waves and 
do a hero's deeds; there he lost the glory, the 
fame of valor. It was not so with the other when 
he had armed him for the fight. 

^ See page 23, note i. ' Unferth. 



71 



BEOWULP [1473-1494] 



XXII 

Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar and plunges into the 
mere. The monster seizes upon him. They fight. 

Then spoke Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow: ^* Re- 
member, thou great son of Healfdene, wise chief- 
tain, gracious friend of men, now that I am ready 
for this exploit, what we two spoke of aforetime; 
that, if I must needs lose my life for thee, thou 
wouldst ever be as a father to me when I was 
gone hence. Guard thou my thanes, my own 
comrades, if the fight take me, and do thou also 
send unto Hygelac the treasures that thou gavest 
me, beloved Hrothgar. Then, when the son of 
Hrethel, lord of the Geats, shall look upon that 
treasure, he may behold and see by the gold that 
I found a bountiful benefactor, and enjoyed these 
gifts while I might. And do thou let Unferth, that 
far-famed man, have the old heirloom, the won- 
drous wavy sword of tempered blade. I will 
win glory with Hrunting, or death shall take 
me.'' 

After these words the lord of the Weder-Geats 
boldly made haste; he would await no answer, 
but the surging waters swallowed up the warrior. 

72 



[I49J-I533] BEOWULF 

It was the space of a day ere he got sight of the 
bottom. 

Soon the blood-thirsty creature, she who had 
lived for a hundred seasons, grim and greedy, in 
the waters' flow, found that one was there from 
above seeking out the abode of monsters. She 
seized upon the warrior and clutched him with 
her horrid claws; nevertheless she did no harm 
to his sound body, for the ringed armor girt him 
round about, so that she could not pierce the 
byrnie, the linked coat of mail, with her hateful 
fingers. Then the mere-wolf, when she came to 
the bottom, bore the ring-prince to her dwelling, 
so that he could nowise wield his weapons, brave 
though he was; for many monsters came at him, 
many a sea-beast with awful tusks broke his battle- 
sark — the evil creatures pressed him hard. 

Then the hero saw that he was in some dreadful 
hall, where the water could not harm him a whit; 
the swift clutch of the current could not touch him, 
because of the roofed hall. He saw a fire-light, a 
gleaming flame brightly shining. Then the hero 
got sight of the mighty mere-woman — the she- 
wolf of the deep. He made at her fiercely with his 
war-sword. His hand did not refuse the blow, so 
that the ringed blade sang out a greedy war-song 

73 



BEOWULF [1522-1548] 

on her head. But the stranger found that the 
gleaming sword would make no wound, nor harm 
her life; so the blade failed the prince at need. It 
had aforetime endured many a hard fight, had 
often cleft the helmet and the byrnie of the doomed; 
this was the first time that the precious treasure 
ever failed of its glory. Yet the kinsman of Hyge- 
lac, heedful of great deeds, was steadfast of pur- 
pose, not faltering in courage. Then the angry 
warrior threw from him the carved sword, strong 
and steel-edged, studded with jewels, and it lay 
upon the ground. He trusted to his strength, to 
the mighty grip of his hand. So must a brave man 
do when he thinketh to win lasting praise in war — 
he taketh no thought for his life. 

Then the lord of the War-Geats, shrinking not 
from the fight, seized GrendePs mother by the 
shoulder, and full of wrath, the valiant in battle 
threw his deadly foe so that she fell to the floor. 
Speedily she paid him his reward again with fierce 
grapplings and clutched at him, and being wearied, 
he stumbled and fell, he, the champion, strongest 
of warriors. Then she leapt and sat upon him, 
and drew her dagger, broad and brow^n-edged, to 
avenge her son, her only offspring. But on his 
shoulder lay his woven coat of mail; it saved his 

74 






[1549-1569] BEOWULF 

life, barring the entrance against point and blade. 
Then the son of Ecgtheow, chief of the Geats, 
would have perished beneath the sea-bottom, 
had not his byrnie, his hard war-shirt aided him, 
and Holy God, the wise Lord, brought victory to 
pass, the King of heaven easily adjudging it aright. 
Thereafter he stood up again. 

XXIII 

Beowulf lays hold upon a giant sword and slays the evil 
beast. He finds GrendeVs dead body and euts off the 
head, and swims jip to his thanes upon the shore. They 
go haek to Heorot. 

Then he saw among the armor a victorious 
blade, an old sword of the giant-age, keen-edged, 
the glory of warriors; it was the choicest of weap- 
ons — ^save that it was larger than any other man 
was able to carry into battle — good, and splendidly 
wrought, for it was the work of the giants. And 
the warrior of the Scyldings seized the belted hilt; 
savage and angry, he drew forth the ring-sword, 
and, hopeless of life, smote so fiercely that the hard 
sword caught her by the neck, breaking the ring- 
bones; the blade drove right through her doomed 
body, and she sank upon the floor. The sword was 
bloody; the hero exulted in his deed. 

75 



BEOWULF [1570-1599] 

The flame burst forth; light filled the place, even 
as when the candle of heaven is shining brightly 
from the sky. He gazed about the place and turned 
him to the wall; the thane of Hygelac, angry and res- 
olute, lifted the great weapon by the hilts. The 
blade was not worthless to the warrior, for he 
wished to repay Grendel straightway for the many 
attacks which he had made upon the West-Danes 
— oftener far than once — ^what time he slew Hroth- 
gar's hearth-companions in their slumber and de- 
voured fifteen of the sleeping Danes and carried 
off as many more, a horrid prey. The fierce war- 
rior had given him his reward, so that he now saw 
Grendel lying lifeless in his resting-place, spent 
with his fight, so deadly had the combat been for 
him in Heorot. The body bounded far when it 
suffered a blow after death, a mighty sword-stroke. 
And thus he smote off the head. 

Soon the prudent men who were watching the 
mere with Hrothgar saw that the surging waves 
were all troubled, and the water mingled with 
blood. The old men, white-haired, talked to- 
gether of the heio, how they thought that the prince 
would never come again to their great lord, exult- 
ant in victory; for many believed that the sea-wolf 
had rent him in pieces. 

76 



[1600-1626] BEOWULF 

Then came the ninth hour of the day. The 
bold Scyldings left the clifif, the bounteous friend 
of men departed to his home. But the strangers 
sat there, sick at heart, and gazed upon the mere; 
they longed but did not ever think to see their own 
dear lord again. 

Meanwhile the sword, that war-blade, being 
drenched with blood, began to waste away in icicles 
of steel; it melted wondrously like ice when the 
Father looseneth the frost, unwindeth the ropes 
that bind the waves; He who ruleth the times and 
seasons. He is a God of righteousness. The lord 
of the Weder-Geats took no treasure from that hall, 
although he saw much there, none save the head, 
and the hilt bright with gold; the blade had melted, 
the graven sword had burned away, so hot had 
been the blood, so venomous the strange spirit that 
had perished there. 

Soon he was swimming off, he who had survived 
the onset of his foes; he plunged up through the 
water. The surging waves were cleansed, the wide 
expanse where that strange spirit had laid down 
her life and the fleeting days of this world. 

And the defence of seamen came to land, stoutly 
swimming; he rejoiced in his sea-spoil, the great 
burden that he bore with him. And his valiant 

77 



BEOWULF [1626-1650] 

band of thanes went unto him, giving thanks to 
God; they rejoiced in their chief, for that they 
could see him safe and sound. Then they quickly 
loosed helm and byrnie from the valiant man. The 
mere grew calm, but the water beneath the clouds 
was stained with the gore of battle. 

They set forth along the foot-path glad at heart; 
the men, kingly bold, measured the earth-ways, 
the well-known roads. They bore away the head 
from the sea-cliff — a hard task for all those men, 
great-hearted as they were; four of them must needs 
bear with toil that head of Grendel upon a spear 
to the gold-hall. And forthwith the fourteen Geats, 
bold and warlike, came to the hall, and their brave 
lord in their midst trod the meadows. And the 
chief of the thanes, the valiant man crowned with 
glory, the warrior brave in battle, went in to greet 
Hrothgar. And GrendePs head was borne by the 
hair into the hall where the men were drinking — a 
terror alike to heroes and to queen.^ The people 
gazed upon that wondrous sight. 

^ Cf. Sir Andrew Barton, 80-81. 



78 



[1651-1670] BEOWULF 



XXIV AND XXV 

Beowulf tells of his flght, and Hrothgar diseourses. They 
feast in Heorot, In the morning the Geats make ready 
to depart, 

Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke: "Behold, 
O son of Healfdene, lord of the Scyldings, we have 
joyfully brought thee this sea-spoil which here 
thou lookest on, a token of glory. Hardly did I 
escape with my life; painfully fighting under the 
waters, I ventured on the work. The struggle 
would have well-nigh failed me, had not God 
shielded me. Nor could I do aught with Hrunt- 
ing in the fight, though that be a good weapon; 
but the Ruler of the people — full often hath He 
guided friendless men — granted that I saw an old 
and mighty sword hanging all beauteous on the 
wall; so I drew that weapon forth. And I slew 
m fight the keepers of that house, for occasion 
favored me. But the war-sword, the graven 
blade, burned away when the blood gushed forth, 
hottest of battle-gore. The hilt I bore away from 
the enemy, avenging, as was meet, their crimes, 
the slaughter of the Danes. I promise thee that 
thou, with a troop of thy men, mayst sleep in Heo- 

79 



BEOWULF [1670-1698] 

rot free from care, thou and all the thanes of thy 
people, young and old; thou needest not fear death 
for them from that quarter, as formerly thou didst, 
O lord of the Scyldings." 

Then the golden hilt, the ancient work of giants, 
was given into the hands of the aged warrior, the 
hoary leader in battle. After the fall of the devils, 
this work of cunning smiths came into the pos- 
session of the lord of the Danes; when the fierce- 
hearted enemy of God, guilty of murder, quitted 
this world, he and his mother too, it passed into 
the keeping of the best of kings between the seas, 
the best of those who gave out gifts of money 
in the Danish land. 

Hrothgar spoke; he looked upon the hilt, the 
old heirloom on which was graven the beginning 
of the ancient strife, what time the flood, the rush- 
ing ocean, destroyed the giant race.^ They had 
behaved frowardly. That people was estranged 
from the eternal Lord; wherefore the Ruler gave 
them their final reward in the flood of waters. And 
on the guard of shining gold was rightly graven, 
set forth and told in runic letters, for whom the 
sword had first been made, that best of blades, 
with its twisted hilt brightly adorned with snakes. 
* Genesis 4, i. 

80 



[1698-1722] BEOWULF 

Then the wise son of Healfdene spoke — silent 
were they all: "Lo! the aged ruler who remem- 
bereth far-off days, he who doeth righteousness 
and truth among the people, may say that this 
hero was born of the nobler stock. The fame of 
thee, my friend Beowulf, is spread abroad among 
every people far and wide. Thou dost hold it all 
with meekness; yea, all thy might with prudence 
of mind. I will make good my compact with 
thee, even as we did agree aforetime. Thou 
shalt be a lasting comfort to thy people, a help to 
warriors. 

"Not so was Heremod^ to the children of Ecg- 
wela, the Honor-Scyldings. He throve not for 
their welfare, but became the destruction and the 
deadly plague of the Danish people; for in his rage 
he slew his table-companions, the friends of his 
bosom, until he, the great prince, w^ent forth alone, 
far from the joys of men. Although mighty God 
advanced him and set him above all men in strength 
and in the joys of power, yet there grew up a blood- 
thirsty spirit in his heart; he gave no treasure to 
the Danes, as was meet, so that he lived joyless, 
suffering punishment for his hostility in the lasting 
wretchedness of his people. Learn thou from this; 
^ See page 48, and note i. 
81 



BEOWULF [1723-1749] 

lay hold upon manly virtue. With the wisdom of 
many winters I have told this tale for thee. 

'^Wonderful it is to tell how mighty God, in 
His great spirit, giveth wisdom unto mankind and 
land and noble rank. He ruleth over all. But 
at times He letteth the thoughts of a man's heart 
stray toward the satisfaction of his own desires; 
He giveth him worldly joys in his fatherland, a 
fenced city of men to hold; He maketh whole 
regions of the earth subject unto him, a wide do- 
main, so that in his blindness he considereth not 
his end. He dwelleth in plenty; no whit doth 
sickness or age beset him; sorrow darkeneth not 
his spirit; nowhere doth strife appear, or deadly 
hate; but all the world moveth to his will. 

"He knoweth no worse state, until at length 
much pride grows and flourishes within him, while 
the watchman is sleeping, the keeper of the soul. 
Too deep is that slumber, encompassed with sor- 
rows; the Adversary is at hand, who shooteth 
from his bow in evil wise; and the helmeted man 
is smitten in the breast with a bitter arrow, being 
unable to ward off the crooked counsels of the 
Accursed Spirit. Too little seemeth that which 
he hath long possessed. He is covetous in his fro- 
ward heart; he doth not glory ingly bestow the 

82 



[1750-1776] BEOWULF 

plated rings, and he forgetteth and despiseth the 
future, by reason of the bounteous honors which 
God, the King of glory, hath accorded him. 

*'But in the end it is brought to pass that the 
failing body wasteth away; and falleth doomed. 
Another succeedeth, one who giveth out the treas- 
ure, nothing loath, the prince's store of riches laid 
up of old — naught to fear hath he. 

"Keep thee from deadly envy, then, beloved 
Beowulf, best of men, and choose thou the better 
course, everlasting gain. Incline thee not to pride, 
O mighty warrior. Now the flower of thy strength 
lasteth for a season, but soon sickness or sword 
shall cut thee off from thy strength, or the embrace 
of fire, or the surge of the flood, or the stab of the 
sword, or the flight of the spear, or wretched age; 
or else the light of thine eyes shall fail and grow 
dim, and forthwith death shall overcome thee, O 
noble hero. 

"Thus I ruled over the Ring-Danes fifty years 
beneath the sky, and defended them in battle with 
spear and sword from many a tribe throughout 
the world; insomuch that I thought I had no foe 
beneath the breadth of heaven. Lo! all this was 
changed for me in my land; joy changed to sorrow, 
when Grendel, my foe of old, fell upon my home. 

83 



BEOWULF [1776-1805] 

Ever in my heart I suffered great sorrow because 
of this persecution. Wherefore thanks be to God, 
our everlasting Lord, that I have lived to see with 
mine eyes this gory head, now the old strife is 
over. 

"Go now to thy seat, honored warrior, partake 
in the joy of the feasting. Thou and I will share 
full many treasures when morning is come." 

The Geat was glad at heart, and went straight- 
way to his seat, as the wise king bade him. Then 
once again a fair feast was made ready as before 
for those brave men in the hall. 

The helm of night loured dark over the warriors. 
All the company arose; the aged man, the gray- 
haired Scylding, was minded to go to his bed. And 
the Geat, the brave shield-warrior, had an exceed- 
ing great desire of rest. Forthwith the hall-thane, 
he who duly supplied all the warrior^s needs, such 
as seafarers must have in that day, guided forth 
that traveler from afar, wearied with his venture. 
And the great-hearted hero rested him. 

The hall towered aloft, vast and gold-adorned. 
The guest slept within, until the black raven, 
blithe of heart, announced the joy of heaven, and 
the bright sun came gliding over earth. The 
warriors hastened, the heroes longed to be return- 

84 



■^^i^^iteliMHiAMiMMliiAaA 



[1805-1825] BEOWULF 

ing to their people; the great-hearted guest wished 
to take ship and go far thence. 

And the hero bade the son of Ecglaf ^ bear away 
Hrunting, bade him take the sword, beloved weap- 
on; he thanked him for lending it, said that he 
counted it a good war-friend, a mighty in battle; 
he uttered no word in blame of that edged sword 
— he was a great-hearted man! 

And when the warriors, eager for the voyage, 
were ready armed, the chief, dear in the sight of the 
Danes, went to the throne where the other was; the 
hero, bold in battle, gave greeting to Hrothgar. 

XXVI 

Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar and the aged king weeps 
at his departure. He giveth him many treasures. The 
Geats go down to the sea, 

Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke: '^Now we 
seafarers, travelers from afar, would say that we 
purpose to return unto Hygelac. We have been 
well entertained here to our heart's desire: thou 
hast been good to us. If, then, O lord of men, I can 
win upon earth more of thy heart's love than I have 
yet done, I shall be ready at once for warlike deeds. 

1 Unferth. 
85 



BEOWULF [1826-1852] 

If I learn beyond the course of the waters that thy 

neighbors beset thee sore, as did thine enemies in 

days gone by, I will bring a thousand thanes and 

warriors to help thee. I know that Hygelac, lord 

of the Geats, shepherd of the people, young though 

he be, will further me by word and deed that I may 

do honor to thee and bring to thine aid the shafted 

spear and the succor of my strength, when thou 

hast need of men. Moreover, if Hrethric, the 

king's son, take service at the Geatish court,^ he 

will find there many friends; far countries are best 

sought out by him who is strong within himself." 

Hrothgar spoke and answered him again: **The 

all-knowing Lord hath sent these words into thy 

mind; I never heard one so young in life speak 

more wisely. Thou art strong in thy might, and 

prudent of mind, wise in thy discourse. I count it 

likely that, if ever the spear or fierce warfare or 

sickness or weapon take aw^ay thy lord, the heir 

of Hrethel, shepherd of the people, and if thou be 

yet alive, the Sea-Geats will have none better to 

choose as king, as guardian of treasure and heroes, 

if haply thou be willing to govern the kingdom of 

* Cf. Germania 14: "Si civitas in qua orti sunt, longa 
pace et otio torpeat, plerique nobilium adulescentium pe- 
tunt ultro eas nationes quae turn bellum aliquod gerunt," 
and the rest. 

86 



mj^tmm 



[1853-1876] BEOWULF 

thy folk. Thy great heart delighteth me more and 
more, dear Beowulf. Thou hast brought it to pass 
that there shall be peace between our people, the 
Geat folk and the Spear-Danes; and strife shall 
cease, the evil feuds which they have endured in 
time past. We shall have treasure in common 
while I rule over this wide realm; many friends 
shall greet one another with good things across the 
gannet's bath; ^ the ringed ship shall bring gifts 
and love-tokens over the sea. I know that the 
peoples are firmly united toward friend and toward 
foe, blameless in every way, after the olden cus- 
toms." 

And moreover the son of Healfdene, shelter of 
warriors, gave unto him twelve treasures within 
the hall; he bade him go in safety with these gifts 
unto his own dear people, and quickly come again. 
And the king of noble lineage, lord of the Scyldings, 
kissed that best of thanes and clasped him round 
the neck; tears fell from the gray-haired man. The 
wise and aged king looked for either thing,^ but 
rather for the second, that they would never meet 
again, brave in the council. The hero was so dear 

^ The sea. 

^ A knotty passage, perhaps corrupt. There were two 
possibilities, the passage seems to imply: that Hrothgar 
might see Beowulf again, and that he might not. 

87 



BEOWULF [1877-1895] 

to him that he could not contain his welling grief, 
for in his breast secret longing after the dear man, 
fast bound within his heart, burned through his 
blood. 

Then Beowulf, the warrior proud of his gold, 
exulting in his treasure, went thence treading the 
grassy plain. The ship awaited her lord, riding 
at anchor. And, as they went, Hrothgar^s gift was 
praised full oft. He was a king, blameless in every 
wise, until old age, which has often wasted many 
a man, took from him the joys of strength. 

XXVII 

Beowulf presents to the eoast -warden a golden sword. The 
Geats return unto their land. They bear the treasures 
to the hall where dwells King Hygelae with his queen, 
Hygd. The tale of Thrytho told. 

Then the band of brave retainers came to the 
sea; they wore ringed armor, woven shirts of mail. 
The land-warden beheld the heroes when they came 
again, even as he had done before. But not with 
insult did he greet the guests from the peak of the 
cliff, but rode toward them, as they came unto 
their ship, saying that the Weder people, the bright- 
coated warriors, were welcome. 

88 



i^baiMMMMtaMikiidB 



[1896-1921] BEOWULF 

Then the spacious bark, the ring-stemmed ship 
upon the beach, was laden with the armor, with 
the horses and the treasures; the mast towered high 
over the wealth from Hrothgar's hoard. Beowulf 
gave to the boat-warden a sword all bound with 
gold, so that he was the more honored thereafter 
at the mead-bench because of that treasure and 
heirloom. 

And he departed in his ship, driving the deep 
waters asunder; he left the Danish land. Then a 
sail, one of the sea-cloths, was fastened to the mast. 
The sea-craft groaned. The wind blowing over 
the waters did not drive the bark from her course; 
the ship sailed on: with wreathed prow she floated 
forth, foamy-necked, over the waters of the sea, 
until the men could descry the Geatish cliflFs, the 
well-known headlands. The keel, driven by the 
wind, bounded up, and stood ashore. Straight- 
way the harbor-guard was ready at the water^s 
edge, he who upon the beach had long been looking 
out afar, eager for the dear men. He bound the 
broad-bosomed ship with anchor-ropes fast to the 
shore, lest the force of the waves should drive 
the fair boat away. 

And Beowulf bade them bear up ashore the 
princely treasure, the jewels and the beaten gold. 

89 



BEOWULF [1921-1942] 

It was not far thence for them to go unto the giver 
of treasure, Hygelac, son of Hrethel ; there at 
home he dwells with his companions, nigh the 
sea-wall. 

Fair was the house; its lord a brave king, great 
in hall. Hygd, daughter of Haereth, was very 
young, was wise and well nurtured, although she 
had lived but few winters within the castle walls; 
yet she was not mean-spirited, and nowise sparing 
in gifts of precious treasures to the Geats. 

THE TALE OF THRYTHO 

Mueh unlike Hygd was a queen named Thrytho, proud and 
wrathful, until Offa subdued her. 

Thrytho,^ the fierce queen of the people, showed forth 
wrath and evil dire; no brave man among the dear com- 
rades durst venture by day to look upon her with his 
eyes, none save her lord; else he might count on deadly 
bonds, hand-woven, being destined for him. Straight- 
way after his seizure the sword was appointed for use, so 
that the carved weapon might decide it, and tell forth the 
baleful murder. Such is no queenly custom for a woman 
to practice, peerless though she be — that a weaver of peace ^ 

^ This account of Thrytho is apparently introduced to 
contrast her with Hygd; so Beowulf (pages 48, 81) was 
praised by contrast with Heremod. 

^ This kenning for a queen is significant in many ways. 

90 



[1942-1969] BEOWULF 

should attempt the life of a dear retainer because of pre- 
tended insult. 

But the kinsman of Hemming ^ checked this. The ale- 
drinkers told another story, how that she wrought less 
evil to the people, fewer deeds of hate after she was given, 
all gold-adorned, to the young warrior of noble lineage, 
when she at her father's bidding, journeyed over the dark 
waters unto Offa's hall. There, while she lived, she en- 
joyed her destiny upon the throne, famed for her good- 
ness. She held high love toward the prince of heroes 
who, as I have heard, was the best of all mankind be- 
tween the seas, best of all the race of men on earth. 
Therefore Offa, bold with the spear, was honored far and 
wide for gifts and warfare. Wisely he ruled his native 
land. From him sprang Eomser, kinsman of Hemming, 
grandson of Garmund, skilful in warfare, for the help 
of heroes. 

XXVIII 

Beowulf is received hy Hygelae, and telleth of his meeting 
with GrendeL Of Freawaru. 

Then the brave chief went forth over the sands 
with his companions, treading the sea-beach, the 
wide-stretching shores. The candle of the world 
was shining, the sun in its course beaming from the 
south. They went their ways; boldly betook them 
to where, as they had heard, the young and gracious 

»Offa. 
91 



BEOWULF [1969-1990] 

war-king, shelter of heroes, slayer of Ongentheow,^ 
was giving out rings within his city. Speedily Beo- 
wulf's coming was announced to Hygelac, how 
that the shelter of warriors, his shield-comrade, was 
come back alive to the hall, come back to the court, 
safe from combat. Straightway the hall within 
was made ready for the travelers, even as the ruler 
bade. 

Then he who had scaped from the strife sat by 
the king himself, kinsman by kinsman, after his 
lord with courtly speech had greeted the loyal hero 
with mighty words. And Haereth's daughter passed 
about the hall, pouring out the mead; for she loved 
the people; she bore the mead-cup to the hands of 
the heroes. 

Then Hygelac began to question his companions 
full fairly in the lofty hall, for he was spurred with 
longing to know touching the adventures of the 
Sea-Geats: ^^How fared ye in your journeying, dear 
Beowulf, when thou on a sudden didst resolve to 
seek combat far away over the salt waters, battle 
in Heorot? Didst thou in aught lessen the well- 
known woe of Hrothgar, the mighty lord? I have 

^ See page 133, where we are told that Ongentheow was 
slain by Eofor, one of Hygelac's men. It is proper for 
the retainer to attribute his glory to his lord. See Agri- 
cola 8, and Germania 14. 

92 



[1990-2017] BEOWULF 

nourished brooding care and sorrow in my heart, 
for I put no trust in the journey of my beloved 
thane. Long did I entreat thee not to attack the 
deadly beast, but let the South-Danes themselves 
put an end to their strife with Grendel. I give 
thanks unto God that I am suffered to see thee 
safe.'' 

Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke: "Known unto 
many, my lord Hygelac, is the famous meeting 
'twixt Grendel and me, and our fighting there on 
the field where he had wrought much sorrow for the 
Victor-^Scyldings and misery evermore. All that 
I avenged, so that none of Grendel's kin on earth 
need boast of that fray at twilight, not even he of 
the loathed race who shall live the longest in the 
midst of the moorland. 

"When I came into that country, I went first 
into the ring-hall to greet Hrothgar. Straightway 
the great kinsman of Healfdene, when he knew my 
mind, gave me a seat with his own son. It was a 
joyous host; I have never seen greater joy at the 
mead among any hall-guests beneath the vault of 
heaven. At times the great queen, the peace and 
bond of peoples,^ passed all about the hall, and 

* The epithet is here either purely formal (cf . page 36, note 
2), or touched with sarcasm. ^ Cf. page 90, and note 2. 

93 



BEOWULF [2018-2035] 

cheered the hearts of the young retainers; oft-times 
she gave a ring to some warrior ere she went to her 
seat. At times Hrothgar's daughter bore the ale- 
cup before the nobles, unto the warriors in order. 
I heard those in the hall call her Freawaru as she 
gave studded treasure to the heroes." 

FREAWARU 1 

How Freawaru, daughter to Hrothgar, is betrothed to 
Ingeld of the Heathohards, they who were Hrothgar* s 
enemies 0} old. And how Ingeld will he provoked to 
the murder of a thane who attends on Freawaru; and 
how Ingeld' s love for that lady will wane. 

"Young and gold-adomed, she is promised to the 
glad son of Froda; this has seemed good to the lord of 
the Scyldings, defender of the kingdom, and he counts 
it a gain — by this marriage to allay many deadly feuds 
and strifes. Yet, oft and not rarely, in any place after a 
prince has fallen, it is but a little time that the deadly 
spear lies at rest, fair though the bride may be. 

"Wherefore it may well displease the lord of the 
Heathobards and all the thanes of that people when he 
goes into hall with his lady, that his warriors attend on 

* This episode, a fine piece of epic prophecy, refers to 
a tale probably well known to the poet's audience — the 
fight of Ingeld and Hrothgar. Our knowledge of the story 
is derived chiefly from the Widsith (see lines 45 ff.), which 
is the only other Old English poem that contains mention 
of the more important characters of the Beowulf. 

94 



[203S-2068] BEOWULF 

a noble scion of the Danes/ for on him gleam the heir- 
looms of their fathers, hard and ring-adorned, once the 
Heathobards' treasure, while they could still wield their 
weapons, until in an evil day they led astray into battle 
their dear companions and their own lives. 

"Then speaks one over the beer, an old warrior who 
sees the heirloom and who remembers all the slaughter 
of the men; and his soul is wrathful; and, sore at heart, 
he begins to try the spirit of the young warrior by the 
thoughts of his breast, begins to waken war-fury, and 
speaks this word : * Kno wst thou the sword, my friend, the 
precious blade that thy father bore into battle, when he 
wore his helmet for the last time, and the Danes, the bold 
Scyldings, slew him, and held the battle-field, because 
Withergild ^ was laid low after the fall of heroes? Now 
some stripling, offspring of those murderers, walks our 
hall exulting in the spoil, boasts of that slaughter, and 
wears the treasure which thou shouldst rightly have.* 

"Thus he ever goads him and stirs his memory with 
galling words, until the hour comes that the lady's ^ thane, 
because of his father's deeds, sleeps in blood after the 
sword-stroke, forfeiting his life; but the other escapes 
thence alive, for well he knows the land. Thus the war- 
rior's oaths on both sides are broken, for deadly hate wells 
up in Ingeld's heart, and the love of the woman grows 
cooler within him, because of overwhelming woe. 

"Therefore I count not sincere the faith of the Heatho- 

^ Heathobards, that is, are obliged to serve some Dane 
who has come in attendance on Freawaru. 
^ Nothing is known of him. 
^ Freawaru' s. 

95 



BEOWULF [2068-2096] 

bards nor their part in the peace with the Danes, nor do 
I count their friendship firm." 

**I must say on and tell again of Grendel, that 
thou mayst fully know, O king, to what issue the 
grappling came. After the jewel of heaven had 
glided over earth, the furious monster, the dread 
night-foe, came to find us out, where we all un- 
harmed were watching over the hall. There 
slaughter and an awful death befell Hondscio,^ 
for he was doomed; that girded warrior was the 
first to fall, for Grendel bit him and slew him, our 
great kinsman- thane; he devoured the whole body 
of the man we loved. Yet none the sooner would 
the bloody-toothed murderer, bent on destruction, 
get him from the hall with empty hands. But he 
made trial of me and seized upon me with his 
ready claw. His pouch, wondrous and large, was 
hanging, fast in cunning bonds; it was all curiously 
wrought with dragon-skins and strange device of 
fiends. The bold ill-doer thought to put me there- 
in, me, all sinless, and many another; but he could 
not so, when I in wrath arose and stood upright. 
It is too long to recount how I paid the enemy of 
that people a reward for his every crime. There, 
O my lord, did I bring glory to thy people by my 
^ See page 41. 

96 



i^ij 



[2096-2123] BEOWULF 

deeds. He escaped and fled away — a little while 
he enjoyed the delights of life; but his right arm 
he left in Heorot, marking his track, and humbled, 
in woeful mood, fell thence to the bottom of the 
mere. 

"When morning was come and we had sat down 
to the feast, the lord of the Scyldings richly re- 
warded me for that great fight, with beaten gold 
and many a treasure. There was song and glee. 
The aged Scylding, when he had asked of many 
things, told of the days of yore. At times a brave 
warrior touched the joyous harp, that instrument 
of mirth; at times he told a tale, truthful and sad; 
at times the great-hearted king would relate aright 
some strange legend; at times the hoary warrior, 
stricken with age, would lament his youth and 
battle-strength; his heart swelled within him as, 
old in winters, he thought on all the number of 
his days. 

"So all day long we took our pleasure there, 
until another night came unto men. And straight 
thereafter, GrendeFs mother was ready for ven- 
geance; sorrowful she journeyed, for death and the 
war-wrath of the Geats had taken her son. The 
she-monster avenged her child. Furiously she slew 
a warrior. Life went from ^schere, the aged coun- 

97 



BEOWULF [2124-2143] 

sellor. Nor could the Danes, when morning was 
come, burn the corpse with fire, nor lay the be- 
loved man upon the funeral pile, for in her fiendish 
clutch she had borne away the body beneath the 
mountain stream. That was the bitterest of all 
the griefs that had long befallen Hrothgar, prince 
of the people. Then the king, heavy-hearted, be- 
sought me by thy life to do a hero's deed, to ven- 
ture my life and win glory in the rush of waters; 
he promised me reward. 

"Then, as is well known, I found the grim and 
awful guardian of the deep. And there we fought 
for a time, hand to hand; the mere was welling 
with gore. With a mighty sword I smote ofiE the 
head of GrendeFs mother in that sea-hall. Hardly 
did I get thence with my life, but not yet was I 
doomed. Thereafter the son of Healfdene, de- 
fence of warriors, gave me many treasures. 



98 



[2144-2162] BEOWU LF 



XXXI 1 

Beowulf makes an end of his story, and giveth Hygelae all 
the gifts which he had of Hrothgar. Hygelae rewardeth 
him again. 

''So the king of that people lived in seemly wise. 
I lost not my reward, the meed of valor, for the 
son of Healfdene gave me gifts to use at mine own 
will, which I will bring and gladly offer thee, O 
hero-king. Every good thing comes from thee, 
and I have few blood-kinsmen saving thee, O 
Hygelae." 

And he bade them bring in the boar head-crest, 
the helm towering in battle, the gray byrnie, and 
the splendid war-sword, and thereupon he uttered 
these words: ''Hrothgar, the wise prince, gave me 
this battle-armor, bidding me with express words 
to give thee first his kindly greeting; and he said 
that King Heorogar,^ lord of the Scyldings, long 
possessed it, nevertheless he would not give the 
breast-mail to his own son, bold Heoroward, gra- 
cious though he was to him. Do thou enjoy it 
well." 

^The numbers XXIX and XXX are wanting in the 
MS., but no part of the text is lost. 

2 Hrothgar's own brother; see page 12. 

99 



BEOWULF [2163-2184] 

I have learned that four dappled horses, all 
alike, followed upon the gift of the armor; gra- 
ciously he presented unto him the horses and the 
treasures. So should a kinsman do, and nowise 
weave a cunning snare for his fellow, and plot the 
death of his comrade with secret craft. Full loyal 
was that nephew to Hygelac, the battle-strong; 
each took thought for the other's joy. 

I have heard that he gave to Hygd the necklace, 
the wondrous jewel curiously wrought, which 
Wealhtheow, a king's daughter, had given him, 
and three horses therewith, slender and brightly 
saddled. Thereafter was her breast adorned, even 
from the time when she received the circlet. 

Thus the son of Ecgtheow behaved himself in 
glorious wise, he who was famed for his warfare 
and for his gracious deeds; full honorably he lived, 
nor did he slay his hearth-companions when they 
were drunken; ^ his heart was not cruel, but the 
brave warrior with the greatest care of all man- 
kind held fast the bounteous gift which God had 
given him. 

Long had he been despised,^ so that the sons of 

^ This strange praise may be contrasted with the criti- 
cism of the evil Heremod, page 81. 

^ His youth, like that of Brutus, had given no promise 
of his later glory. 

100 



[2184-2199] BEOWULF 

the Geats had esteemed him not, nor would the 
leader of the war-hosts do him much honor at the 
mead-bench; oft had they deemed him slothful, an 
unwarlike prince. That glorious man was re- 
warded for his every sorrow. 

Then the king, the defence of heroes, strong in 
battle, bade them bring in the heirloom of Hrethel, 
all decked with gold, — there was no dearer sword 
among the treasures of the Geats. ^ He laid it in 
Beowulf's lap; and he gave to him seven thousand 
pieces of money, and a hall and a princely seat. 
The twain, by right of birth, held land in the 
nation, a home and its rights, but Hygelac had 
the broad kingdom, and therein he was the greater 
man.2 

^ Beowulf already possessed his coat of mail; see page 29; 
^ The implication is merely that Beowulf is now the 
second man in the nation. 



lOI 



[2200-2213] 



Part III 
BEOWULF AND THE DRAGON 
XXXI — Continued 

How Beowulf heeame king and reigned for fifty years, and 
how a great Dragon, who watched over a vast treasure- 
hoard, wasted his land. 

Thereafter in later days by reason of the 
crash of battle it fell thus; after Hygelac was laid 
lowji and Heardred had been slain by war-swords 
piercing beneath the shield, at the time when the 
War-Scylfings, fierce battle-wolves, fell upon him 
among his victorious people and overwhelmed the 
nephew of Hereric in war — after that, the broad 
kingdom came into the hand of Beowulf. He ruled 
it well for fifty winters — and the king, aged guar- 
dian of the land, was old — ^until a certain dragon 
began to hold sway on dark nights and work his 

^ Hygelac was slain in the raid mentioned above, page 
60, note 3. His son, Heardred, the "nephew of Hereric," 
ruled for a short time (see p. 109) until he was attacked 
by the War-Scylfings (Swedes), and slain in the ensuing 
battle. 

102 



[2213-2230] BEOWULF 

will, one who on a high mound ^ kept watch over 
a treasure-hoard in a steep and rocky cave. Be- 
neath it lay a path, unknown to men. 

But a certain slave entered there and eagerly 
took from the heathen hoard; ^ he seized with his 
hand a cup, bright with gold. Nor did he give 
it back, albeit he had beguiled the keeper of the 
hoard with thievish craft. The king, best of 
heroes, learned of that deed, and he was filled with 
wrath. 

XXXII 

Of the hoard in the mound and how the Dragon came hy it. 
The wrath of the Dragon. 

Nowise of his own freewill and purpose did the 
slave seek out the dragon's hoard, and bring sore 
harm upon himself, but in dire need, this thrall 
of one among the children of men had fled from 
wrathful blows, a homeless wretch, haunted by 
sin, and he had entered there. But soon it had 
come to pass that awful terror seized upon the in- 

^ The poet is thinking of a barrow, or burial mound. 

2 At this point the MS. is sadly mutilated. Six Hnes 
are only partially legible. Bugge's reconstruction of them 
is used, except for the word king, which is from Morris- 
Wyatt. 

103 



BEOWULF [2230-2256I 

vader; ^ . . . just as the terror got hold of him 
he saw the precious cup. 

Many olden treasures were lying in that cave 
of earth where a certain man in days of yore had 
hidden away the dear possessions, taking thought 
for the great bequest of his noble kin. Death had 
snatched away those men in times gone by, and, 
at the last, the one who tarried longest there of all 
that mighty line was mourning for his friends; yet 
he would fain live that he might enjoy for a little 
time those olden treasures. 

There was a new mound ready on the plain, 
near to the cliff hard by the ocean-waves, made 
fast by cunning craft. Thither the keeper of rings 
bore that heavy store of beaten gold, the princely 
treasures; and he spoke a few words: ^^Now do 
thou hold, O Earth — since heroes could not hold 
— this princely treasure, for, lo! in thee at first the 
good men found it. Every man of my people who 
hath yielded up this life, dread slaughter, death in 
war, hath swept away — they had known the pleas- 
ures of the hall. None have I to wield the sword, 
none to burnish the plated beaker, the precious 
drinking-cup — the warrior-heroes are departed 
otherwhere. The hard helmet, decked with gold, 
^ Three illegible lines. 
104 



[2256-2278] BEOWULF 

must be reft of its adornments; they sleep who 
once did brighten it, they who prepared the masks 
of war. Likewise the coat of mail which, amid 
the crash of shields, was proof against the bite of 
swords in battle, moulders with the hero; the byr- 
nie may no longer make far journeys with the war- 
leader, together with heroes. There is no joy of 
harp, no mirth of the gleewood, no good hawk 
swinging through the hall, no swift horse beating 
with his hoof the courts about the hall. Baleful 
death hath sent forth many mortals on their way." 
Thus, alone and heavy-hearted, he sorrowfully 
lamented for them all, mournfully weeping by day 
and night until the surge of death touched at his 
heart. 

Then the beauteous hoard, standing all open, 
had been found by the old twilight foe, the naked 
venomous ^ dragon, he who, wrapped in flames, 
haunteth the mounds, and flies by night begirt with 
fire; of him the dwellers in the land are sore afraid. 
It is his wont to find out some hoard in the earth, 
where, old in winters, he may guard the heathen 
gold — but naught the better will he fare for that. 

Thus for three hundred winters the scourge of 

^ The old conception of serpent-guarded treasure is 
found in Kipling's King's Ankus. 

105 



BEOWULF [2279-2303] 

the people had held the vast treasure-cave within 
the earth, until a certain man ^ angered him in his 
heart, and bore away the plated beaker to his lord, 
and prayed his master for a covenant of peace. 
Thus the hoard was plundered, and a part of the 
treasure taken away. But his boon was granted 
to that wretched man. His lord beheld for the 
first time that handiwork of ancient men. 

Soon as the dragon woke, strife was begun; 
fierce at heart he sniffed along the rock, and found 
out the tracks of his foe, for with secret craft he 
had gone on too far, hard by the dragon's head. 
So the man not doomed to die easily escapeth woe 
and banishment, even he whom the grace of the 
Lord upholdeth. The keeper of the hoard sought 
eagerly along the ground, he wished to find the 
man who had wrought him this mischief in his 
sleep. Wroth and hot-hearted, he circled oft about 
the mound without — but there was none upon 
the waste. Yet he rejoiced in the thought of bat- 
tle, in warfare to come. At times he would turn 
back to the mound, and seek his precious cup. 
Soon he was ware that some one of menfolk had 
found out the gold, his splendid treasure. 

Impatiently the keeper of the hoard waited till 
^ The slave. 
106 



[2303-2322] BEOWULF 

even was come; the guardian of the mound was 
mad with wrath; the foe wished to repay them 
with fire and burning for the loss of his dear cup. 
And the day departed, even as the dragon wished. 
No longer, then, would he abide in his den, but 
went forth flaming, all girdled with fire. Fearful 
was the beginning for the men of that land, even 
as the end was bitter, which straight thereafter 
fell upon their gracious lord. 

XXXIII 

The Dragon burneth Beowulf s hall, and the old king maketh 
ready to go out against him. Of Beowulf s early deeds 
in battle, and of the death of Heardred, 

Then the monster began to spew forth coals of 
fire and burn the bright dwellings; the surging 
flame leaped forth, affrighting the people; the 
loathed flier of the air meant to leave naught in that 
place alive. The warfare of the dragon, the ven- 
geance of the deadly foe, near and far was manifest, 
how the destroyer hated and humbled the Geatish 
folk. Ere break of day he shot back to his hoard 
again, to his dark and secret hall. He had com- 
passed the men of that land with flame, with fire 
and burning, trusting for defence in his mound, his 

107 



BEOWULF [2323-2347] 

wall, and his might in warfare. Vain was that 
trust. 

And forthwith the terror was made known to 
Beowulf, how for a truth his own home, best of 
halls, the gift-seat of the Geats, had melted away 
in waves of fire. The good man suffered pain at 
heart, most grievous sorrow; the wise hero thought 
that, sinning against the ancient laws, he had pro- 
voked to anger the Almighty, the Lord eternal; his 
breast within him surged with dark thoughts, as 
was not his wont. 

The fire-dragon with his burning coals had ut- 
terly destroyed the fortress, stronghold of the peo- 
ple, the water-washed fastness. Therefore the war- 
king, chief of the Weders, devised revenge upon 
him. Then the defence of warriors, lord of heroes, 
bade them make him a wondrous battle-shield, all 
of iron; for he knew full well that a shield of linden 
wood from the forest could avail him naught against 
the flame. But the valiant prince was doomed 
to meet the end of his fleeting days, of this worldly 
life, and the dragon too, though he had long held 
the hoarded treasure. 

But the ring-prince scorned to seek out the wide- 
flying pest with a host of men, a great army; he had 
no fear of the combat for himself, nor did he es- 

108 



[2347-2371I BEOWULF 

teem at all the dragon's war-might, his strength 
and prowess; forasmuch as aforetime, though in 
narrow straits, he had come safe through many a 
contest, many a battle-crash, since the time when, 
crowned with victory, he cleansed Hrothgar's 
hall, and closed in fight with GrendePs kin of 
loathed race. 

Nor was that the least of contests^ in which 
Hygelac, son of Hrethel, was slain in the storm of 
battle, when the king of the Geats, kind lord of the 
people, was smitten by the blade, and the sword 
drank his life in Friesland. Thence Beowulf 
came off by his own strength, swimming the waves; 
upon his arm he had thirty suits of armor, when 
all alone he went down to the sea. The Hetwaras,^ 
who had borne out their shields against him, had 
no cause to boast of their warfare, for few escaped 
from that war-wolf unto their home. So the son 
of Ecgtheow, wretched and alone, swam over the 
expanse of the waters back to his own people. 
There Hygd offered him the kingdom and the 
treasure, wealth and royal throne, for she put no 
trust in her child, that he would be able to hold the 

^ At this point the poet chooses to pause and tell us 
how Beowulf had come to the throne. Cf. page 102. 

^ The tribe against whom Hygelac's expedition was 
directed. 

109 



BEOWULF [2371-2390] 

native seats against foreign tribes, now that Hyge- 
lac was dead. Yet none the sooner could the 
bereaved people persuade the prince on any condi- 
tions to become Heardred's lord and take the king- 
dom; but rather did he uphold Heardred among 
the people with friendly counsel, with favor, and 
with honor, until he grew older and ruled the 
Weder-Geats. 

But banished men, the sons of Ohthere,^ came 
to his land from overseas; they had rebelled against 
the lord of the Scylfings, the great prince, best of 
the sea-kings that dealt out treasure in the Swedish 
land. Hence came Heardred's end; Hygelac's son, 
for that he harbored them, got his death from 
sword-blows. And, after the fall of Heardred, 
the son of Ongentheow returned to his home, and 
suffered Beowulf to have the royal throne, and rule 
over the Geats — he was a good king. 

* Heardred harbors two Swedish outlaws, much as 
Hrothgar had harbored Beowulfs father long before 
(pages 29-30). The Swedish general, the "son of Ongen- 
theow," pursues them, and a battle between the two nations 
ensues in which Heardred is killed. 



1 10 



[2391-2408] BEOWULF 



XXXIV 

How Heardred was avenged, Beowulf goes forth. He tells 
of his early years and of the death of Hereleald and 
Haetheyn, and now Hygelae was king. 

In later days Beowulf bethought him of retri- 
bution for the prince's ^ fall; he befriended the 
wretched Eadgils. Sailing over the broad sea, he 
supported the son of Ohthere with his army, with 
his warriors and weapons. Thereafter Eadgils 
avenged himself for his drear and bitter exile, and 
took the life of the king.^ 

Thus the son of Ecgtheow had come safe through 
his every conflict, every perilous fight and brave 
adventure, even unto that great day in which he 
was to give battle to the dragon. Then the lord of 
the Geats, being filled with wrath, went forth with 
eleven companions to look upon the serpent. He 
had learned how the feud arose, and all the mis- 
chief to his men, for he had received the goodly 
treasure-cup from the hand of him who found it. 
He was the thirteenth in the band, even the man 
who had caused the beginning of the feud, a captive 
sad at heart. Him they compelled in downcast 
^ Heardred' s. ^ Ongentheow. 

lU 



BEOWULF [2408-2433] 

mood to guide them to the spot. Unwillingly he 
went to where he knew that earth-hall stood, a cav- 
ern under ground, hard by the struggling waves 
and the surge of waters; within, it was full of jew- 
els and twisted gold. The awful guardian, a ready 
fighter, had long watched his golden treasures un- 
der earth. No easy task was it for any man to 
purchase entrance there. 

Then the king, strong in battle, the bounteous 
lord of the Geats, sat him down upon the headland, 
while he bade farewell to his hearth-companions. 
His spirit was full of sorrow, wavering, and ready 
to depart; Wyrd was upon him, she who was to 
come unto that aged man, to seek out the treasure 
of his soul and put asunder body and life; no long 
time was it now that the prince's soul was to be 
wrapped in flesh. Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, 
spoke: ^^In my youth I passed through many a 
battle-onset, many an hour of strife; I remember 
all. I was seven winters old when the treasure- 
prince, dear lord of the people, received me at my 
father's hand; King Hrethel ^ had me and held me 
as his own; he gave me of his treasure and his food, 
remembering our kinship. Never, while a thane 
in his hall, was I a whit less dear to him than any 
^ His grandfather, Hygelac's father. 
112 



[2434-2459] BEOWULF 

of his sons, Herebeald, Haethcyn, or Hygelac my lord. 

For the eldest born a kinsman's deed did strew the 

bed of death, as was not meet, for Haethcyn laid him 

low, him his dear lord, with a bolt from his bow 

of horn; he missed the mark, and shot his kinsman 

down — ^with bloody dart brother did brother slay. 

It was a deed sinfully committed, not to be atoned,^ 

sickening to the heart, yet howe'er it were, the prince 

must needs depart from life unavenged. 

"In like manner it is a piteous thing for an 

aged man to live to see his young son swinging 

upon the gallow^s; he utters his lament, his song 

of woe, while his son hangeth there for the raven's 

delight, and he, old and full of years, can do 

naught to help him. Ever at morn is he minded 

of his son's departure, cares to await another heir 

within his home, since this one, through the pangs 

of death, hath received for his deeds. Worn with 

sorrow, he seeth in his son's dwelling, all bereft 

of revelry, a deserted wine-hall, where the winds 

linger — riders and heroes are sleeping in the 

grave; there is no sound of harp, no joy within the 

courts, as formerly there was." 

* The close family relationship forbids the natural de- 
mand for vengeance and weregild. In the next paragraph 
Beowulf imagines a somewhat similar case, in which a 
father cannot take vengeance for his dead son. 

"3 



BEOWULF [2460-2477] 

XXXV 

Beowulf ends his diseourse, and bids farewell to his thanes. 
He shouts aloud, and the Dragon comes forth. The 
flght begins. It goes hard with Beowulf. 

*^Then he goes to his bed, chanting in his lone- 
liness a lamentation for the departed one; fields 
and dwelling-place, all seem too large for him. 
Even so suffered the defence of the Weders,^ while 
his heart surged with sorrow in memory of Here- 
beald. In nowise could he avenge the feud upon 
the murderer; none the sooner with hostile deeds 
could he wreak his hatred on the warrior, though 
he was not dear to him. Then, because of the 
sorrow which that wound cost him, he gave o'er 
the joys of men and chose the light of God. He 
left to his sons, as a rich man is wont, his land and 
his cities, when he departed from life. 

"Then, after HrethePs death, there was feud 

and strife, war and struggle fierce between the 

Geats and the Swedes over the wide water; and 

the sons of Ongentheow grew bold and eager for 

warfare; 2 they would not keep the peace beyond 

1 Hrethel. 

^ The paragraph becomes clearer if compared with 
another later account, pages 132 ff. 

114 



[2477-2503] BEOWULF 

the seas, but made many a fierce raid about Hreos- 
nabeorh. For that my kinsmen took revenge, for 
the feud and the treachery, as was well known, 
although one bought it with his life — a heavy price; 
Haethcyn, lord of the Geats, fell in that war. But 
I heard men say that in the morning, when On- 
gentheow met with Eofor, brother avenged brother 
upon the murderer, with the edge of the sword; 
the helmet was split asunder — Ongentheow, the 
aged Scylfing, fell, pale in death; the hand that 
smote remembered feuds enough, it did not with- 
hold the death-blow. 

^^Then in my warfare it was granted me to pay 
Hygelac with my flashing sword for the treasures 
he had given me. He bestowed upon me land, 
a dwelling-place and the joys of a home. He did 
not need to seek out a worse warrior among the 
Gifths or the Spear-Danes or in the Swedish realm, 
and hire him for pay. Ever was I wont to be be- 
fore him in his host, alone in the van. And even 
so all my life long will I wage warfare, while lasts 
this sword which has often served me early and 
late, ever since in my valor I slew Daeghrefn with 
my hand, him who was champion of the Hugas. 
By no means was he suffered to carry spoils, fair 
breast-adornments, to the Frisian king, for the 

IIS 



BEOWULF [2503-2532] 

standard-keeper fell in battle, a prince in his might; 
he was not slain with the sword — the grapple of 
war crushed his body and the beating of his heart. 
But now the edge of the sword, hand and hard 
blade, must do battle for the treasure." 

Beowulf spoke; for the last time he uttered 
boastful words: ^^In the days of my youth I ven- 
tured on many battles; and even now will I, aged 
guardian of my people, go into fight and do mem- 
orable deeds, if the great destroyer come forth to 
me out of his den." Then for the last time he 
greeted each of the men, bold helmet-wearers, his 
own dear companions. ^^ I would not bear a sword 
or any weapon against the Serpent, if I knew how 
else I could make good my boast against the mon- 
ster, as I did of old against Grendel. But I look 
for hot battle-fire there, for the venomous blast of 
his nostrils; therefore I have upon me shield and 
byrnie. I will not flee one foot's breadth from 
the keeper of that mound, but it shall be with us 
twain at the wall as Wyrd, lord of every man, 
allotteth. I am eager in spirit, so that I forbear 
boasting against the winged warrior. But do ye 
men tarry upon the mound with your armor upon 
you, clad in your byrnies, to see which of us twain 
after the strife shall survive the deadly woundings. 

116 



[2532-2559] BEOWULF 

It is no exploit for you, nor for the might of any 
man, save mine alone to measure strength with 
the monster and do a hero's deeds. I will boldly 
win the gold, or else battle, yea an evil death, shall 
take away your lord." 

Then the mighty warrior rose up with his shield, 
stern under his helmet; he bore his battle-mail be- 
neath the stony cliffs. He trusted in his single 
strength. That is no coward's way. And he be- 
held hard by the wall — he of noble worth, who 
had passed through many wars and clashing bat- 
tles when armed hosts close in fight — ^where stood 
an arch of stone and a stream breaking out thence 
from the mound; the surge of the stream was hot 
with fire. The hero could not anywhile endure 
unburned the hollow nigh the hoard, because of 
the dragon's flame. 

Then the lord of the Geats, for he was wroth, 
sent forth a word from his breast. The stout- 
hearted warrior stormed; his voice, battle-clear, 
entered in and rang under the hoary rock. The 
keeper of the hoard knew the speech of men, and 
his hate was stirred. No further chance was there 
for peace. First came forth out of the rock the 
breath of the evil beast, the hot reek of battle. 
The earth resounded. The hero beneath the 

117 



BEOWULF [2559-2586] 

mound, lord of the Geats, swung up his shield 
against the awful foe, and the heart of the coiled 
monster waxed eager for the strife. Already the 
good warrior-king had drawn his sword, that olden 
heirloom, undulled of edge. Either destroyer 
struck awe in the other. But stout-hearted stood 
that prince of friends against his tall shield, while 
the dragon coiled himself quickly together; the 
armed man waited. 

Then the flaming dragon, curving like a bow, 
advanced upon him, hastening to his fate. A 
shorter time the shield warded the life and body 
of the mighty king than his hopes had looked for, 
if haply he were to prevail in the combat at that 
time, early in the day; but Wyrd did not thus allot. 
The lord of the Geats lifted his hand and smote 
the hideous-gleaming foe with his weighty sword, 
in such wise that the brown blade weakened as it 
fell upon the bone, and bit less deeply than its 
lord had need, when sore beset. Then, at the 
sword-stroke, the keeper of the mound raged furi- 
ously. He cast forth devouring fire. Far and 
wide shot deadly flame. The lord of the Geats 
nowise boasted of victory, for his naked war- 
sw^ord, that good blade, weakened in the fight, as 
was not meet. It was no easy course for the 

118 



[2587-2606] BEOWULF 

mighty son of Ecgtheow to forsake this earth for 
ever; yet he was doomed against his will to take 
up his abode in a dwelling otherwhere. So every 
man must quit these fleeting days. 

It was not long ere the fighters closed again. 
The keeper of the hoard plucked up his courage; 
his breast heaved anew with his venomous breath- 
ing. He who erewhile ruled the people was hard 
put to it, being compassed with fire. In nowise 
did his own companions, sons of heroes, surround 
him in a band with warlike valor, but they took 
refuge in the wood to save their lives. There was 
but one among them whose heart surged with sor- 
rows. Naught can ever put aside the bond of 
kinship in him who thinketh aright. 

XXXVI 

Wiglaf, a young thane of Beowulf s, upbraids his fellows 
and goes to the help of the old king, Beowulf s sword 
is shattered in the fight, and he gets a deadly wound. 

He was called Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, a be- 
loved warrior, lord of the Scylfings, kinsman of 
^Ifhere. He saw his lord suffering the heat under 
his helmet; and he was minded of all the benefits 
>vhich Beowulf had given him in time past, the rich 

119 



BEOWULF [2606-2633] 

dwelling-place of the Wsegmundings, and every 
folk-right which his father possessed. And he 
could not forbear, but seized the shield, the yellow 
linden, with his hand, and drew forth his old sword. 
This was known among men as an heirloom of 
Eanmund, son of Ohthere, whom, when a friend- 
less exile, Weohstan slew in fight with the edge of 
the sword; he bore to his kinsman the brown hel- 
met, the ringed byrnie, the old giant-sword that 
Onela had given him; they were his comrade's war- 
harness, his ready armor. He spoke not of the 
feud, though he had killed his brother's son. He 
held the spoils, the sword and byrnie, for many 
years until his son could do a hero's deeds, like his 
father before him. Then he gave to him, among 
the Geats, all manner of armors, when, full of 
years, he passed hence from life. 

This was the first time that the young warrior 
was to partake in the storm of war with his high 
lord. But his heart melted not within him, nor 
did his kinsman's heirloom weaken in the fight. 
That the dragon learned when they were come 
together. 

Wiglaf spoke many fitting words, saying to his 
companions — for his soul was sad within him: — **I 
remember the time when, as we drank the mead in 

120 



[2634-2663] BEOWULF 

hall, we promised our lord, him who gave us these 
rings, that we would repay him for the war-harness, 
for helmet and hard sword, if need like this befell 
him. Of his own will he chose us from his host 
for this adventure, urged us to do gloriously, and 
gave me these treasures, since he deemed us good 
spearmen, keen helm-bearers ; albeit our lord, de- 
fender of his people, had thought to do this mighty 
work alone, for that he of all men hath performed 
most of famed exploits and daring deeds. Now 
the day is come when our lord needs the might of 
good warriors. Let us on to his help, whilst the 
heat is upon him, and the grim terror of fire. 

*^ God knows of me that I would much rather that 
the flame enwrap my body with my king's. Me- 
thinks it unseemly that we should bear our shields 
back to our home, unless we can first strike down 
the foe and defend the life of the Weders' king. 
Full well I know that it is not according to his old 
deserts that he alone of all the Geatish force should 
suffer pain and sink in fight. We twain will have 
one sword and one helmet, one shield and one 
bymie in common." 

Then with his war-helmet he sped through the 
noisome smoke, to the aid of his lord; he spoke a 
few words: ^'Beloved Beowulf, now do thou all 

121 



BEOWULF [2663-2687] 

things well, as thou of old sworest in the days of thy 
youth that thou wouldst not let thy glory wane 
while thou didst live. Now, O stedfast hero, famed 
for thy deeds, do thou defend thy life with all thy 
might. Lo, I will help thee.'' 

After these words, the dragon, awful monster, 
flashing with blazing flames, came on all wroth 
a second time to meet his hated foes. Wiglaf's 
shield was burned away to the boss in the waves 
of fire; the byrnie could give no help to the young 
spear-warrior. But the youth went quickly under 
his kinsman's shield, since his own had been burned 
to ashes by the flames. Then again the war-king 
took thought for his glory; mightily he smote with 
his battle-sword driving fiercely so that it stood in 
the dragon's head. Naegling^ was shivered in 
pieces; Beowulf's sword, old and gray-marked, 
weakened in the fight — it was not granted that 
the iron blade should help him in the strife. Too 
strong was the hand, as I have heard, which by its 
blow o'ertaxed all swords whatsoever; so that he 
fared none the better for it, when he bore into the 
fight a weapon wondrous hard.^ 

^ The name of the sword. Its gray markings are 
probably etchings on hilt and blade; cf. page 80. 

^ So mighty is his blow that no sword is strong enough 
for him. 

122 



-sMRMBiiaMiiiiilli 



[2688-2708] BEOWULF 

Then the destroyer of people, the dread fire- 
dragon, for the third time was mindful of the feud. 
He rushed on the brave hero, when ground was 
yielded him. Hot and fierce, he seized upon Beo- 
wulf's whole neck with his sharp teeth. He was 
all wetted with his life-blood; the gore welled forth 
in streams. 

XXXVII 

They slay the Dragon. The Ung is nigh unto death. 

Then I have heard men tell how, in the king's 
great need, Wiglaf, the hero, showed forth unceas- 
ing courage, skill and valor, as was his nature; he 
heeded not the dragon's head (though the hero's 
hand was burned as he helped his kinsman), but 
the armed man smote the evil beast a little lower 
down, insomuch that the bright and plated sword 
drove into him, and the fire began to wane forth- 
with. Then the king recovered himself; he drew 
the short-sword, keen and sharp in battle, which 
he wore on his byrnie. The defence of the Weders 
cut the Serpent asunder in the middle. They 
struck down the foe; their might drove forth his 
life, and thus they twain, noble kinsmen, destroyed 
him. Even such should a man be, a thane good 

123 



BEOWULF [2709-2740] 

at need. That was the king's last hour of victory 
by his own great deeds, the last of his worldly work. 

But the wound which the earth-dragon had 
given him began to burn and swell; presently he 
found that poison, deadly venom, was surging in 
his breast. Then the prince, still wise in mind, 
moved along so that he might seat him by the 
mound; he saw that work of giants, saw how the 
rocky arches standing firm on their pillars, upheld 
within the earth-hall everlasting. Then the thane, 
surpassing good, taking water, with his hands 
bathed the great king, his own dear lord, all gory 
and wearied with battle, and loosed his helm. 

Beowulf spoke and uttered words, despite his 
wound, his piteous battle-hurt; full well he knew 
that his life of earthly joy was spent, that the ap- 
pointed number of his days was run, and Death 
exceeding near: ^^Now would I give my armor to 
my son, had I been granted any heir, born of my 
body, to come after me. Fifty winters have I 
ruled this people; yet there was never a king of 
all the neighbor tribes who durst attack me with 
the sword or threaten me with evil. In my home 
I awaited what the times held in store for me, kept 
well mine own, sought out no wily quarrels, swore 
not many a false oath. In all this I can rejoice, 

124 



[2740-2762] BEOWULF 

though death-sick with my wounds, inasmuch as 
the Ruler of men cannot charge me w^ith murder 
of kinsmen, when my life parteth from my body. 
Now do thou, dear Wiglaf, lightly go and view the 
hoard under the gray rock, now the dragon lieth 
low, sleepeth sore wounded, bereft of his treasure. 
Do thou make haste that I may behold the olden 
treasures, that store of gold, and gladly gaze upon 
those bright and curious gems; and thus, having 
seen the treasured wealth, I may the easier quit 
life and the kingdom which long I have ruled." 

XXXVIII 

Beowulf heholdeth the treasure, and passeth. 

And I have heard how the son of Weohstan, 
after these words, quickly obeyed his wounded 
lord, sick from the battle; he bore his ringed mail- 
shirt, the woven battle-sark, under the roof of the 
cave. And the brave thane, exultant victor, as he 
went by the seat, saw many precious jewels, much 
glistering gold lying upon the ground and won- 
drous treasures on the wall, and the den of the 
dragon, the old twilight-flier; bowls lay there, ves- 
sels of bygone men, with none to brighten them, 
their adornments fallen away. There was many 

125 



BEOWULF [2762-2789] 

a helmet old and rusty, many an arm-ring cunning- 
ly twisted. Treasure of gold found in the earth 
can easily puff with pride the heart of any man, 
hide it who will. Likewise he saw a banner all 
of gold standing there, high above the hoard, 
greatest of wonders, woven by skill of hand; 
from it there shone a ray of light, so that he could 
see the cavern floor, and examine the fair jewels. 
Naught was to be seen of the dragon there, for the 
sword had undone him. 

Thus I have heard how one man alone at his 
own free will plundered the hoard within the cave, 
the old work of the giants, how he laid in his bosom 
beakers and dishes; he took the banner, too, that 
brightest of beacons. The old lord^s blade, with 
its iron edge, had sorely injured him who long had 
been the owner of these treasures, who at mid- 
night had borne about the fiery terror, dreadfully 
surging, hot before the hoard, until he died the 
death. 

The messenger was in haste, eager to return, 
urged by thought of his spoil. The great-hearted 
man was spurred with longing to know whether 
he would find alive the lord of the Weders, griev- 
ously sick, in the place where he had left him. 
And bringing the treasures, he found the great 

126 



[2789-2816] BEOWULF 

prince, his lord, bleeding, at the point of death; 
he began to sprinkle him again with water until 
the word's point broke through the treasure of his 
heart, and Beowulf spoke, aged and sorrowful, as 
he gazed upon the gold: *'I utter thanks unto the 
Ruler of all, King of Glory, everlasting Lord, for 
these fair things, which here I look upon, inas- 
much as ere my death-day I have been able to 
win them for my people. I have sold and paid 
mine aged life for the treasure-hoard. Fulfil ye 
now the needs of the people.^ Here can I be no 
more. Bid the brave warriors rear a splendid 
mound at the sea-cape after my body is burned. 
There on Whale's Ness shall it tower high as a 
memorial for my people, so that seafarers, they 
who drive from far their great ships over the misty 
floods, may in aftertime call it * Beowulf's Mound.'" 
The great-hearted king took from his neck the 
ring of gold; gave to his thane, the youthful war- 
rior, his helmet gold-adorned, his ring and his 
byrnie, bade him enjoy them well. 

'^Thou art the latest left of all our kin, the 
Waegmundings. Wyrd hath swept away all my 
kinsmen, heroes in their might, to the appointed 
doom. I must after them." 
^ Cf. the whole scene with Layamon*s Brut, 11. 1429 1 fif. 

127 



BEOWULF [2817-2840] 

That was the old king's last word from the 
thoughts of his heart, ere he yielded to the bale- 
fire and the hotly surging flames. His soul de- 
parted from out his bosom unto the reward of the 
righteous. 

XXXIX 

Wiglaf Utterly upbraids those eraven thanes. 

Thus it went full hard with the young man to 
see his best-beloved one lying lifeless on the ground, 
faring most wretchedly. His destroyer lay there 
too, the horrid earth-dragon, bereft of life, crushed 
in ruin. No longer could the coiled serpent rule 
over treasure-hoards, for the edge of iht sword, 
the hard, battle-notched work of the hammer, had 
destroyed him, and he had fallen to the ground 
near his hoard-hall, stilled by the wounding. No 
more in play did he whirl through the air at mid- 
night, and show himself forth, proud of his treas- 
ure, for he sank to earth by the mighty hand of 
the battle-chief. 

Indeed, as I have heard, it hath prospered few 
men in the world, even though mighty, however 
daring in their every deed, to rush on against the 
blasts of a venomous foe, or to meddle with his 

128 



[2840-2867] BEOWULF 

treasure-house, if haply they found the keeper 
waking, abiding in his mound. Beowulf paid with 
his death for his share in the lordly wealth. Both 
of them had reached the end of this fleeting life. 

It was not long thereafter that the cowards left 
the wood, those craven traitors, the ten of them 
together, even they who in their lord's great need 
had not dared to brandish spear. But shamefully 
now they bore their shields, their war-armor, to 
where the old man lay. They looked upon Wig- 
laf. The wearied warrior was sitting by his lord's 
shoulder; he was trying to revive him with water, 
but it availed him naught. He could not stay the 
chieftain's life on earth, though dearly he wished 
it, nor change the will of God in aught. The judg- 
ment of the Lord was wont to rule the deeds of 
every man, even as it doth to-day. 

And straightway the youth had a fierce and 
ready answer for those whose courage had failed 
them.i Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, spoke, sad at 
heart, as he looked upon those hated men: ^^Lo! 
he who is minded to speak the truth may say that 
the liege lord, he who gave you these treasures, even 
the battle-armor in which ye are standing — what 
time at the ale-bench the king gave oft unto his 

^ Cf. Germania 14; the Battle of Maldon, 11. 245 £f. 
129 



BEOWULF [2868-2891] 

thanes, sitting in the hall, helms and byrnies, the 
choicest far or near which he could find — utterly 
and wretchedly wasted that war-harness. Nowise 
did the king need to boast of his comrades in arms 
when strife overtook him; yet God, the Lord of 
victory, granted him unaided to avenge him with 
the sword, when he had need of valor. Little pro- 
tection could I give him in the fight; and yet I 
tried what was beyond my power — to help my kins- 
man. It was ever the worse for the deadly foe 
when I smote him with the sword, the fire less 
fiercely flamed from his head. Too few defenders 
thronged about their lord when the dread moment 
fell. Now, all sharing of treasure, all gift of 
swords, all hope, all rights of home, shall cease 
from your kin. Every man of your house shall 
roam, bereft of tribal rights, as soon as the princes 
in far countries hear of your flight, your inglorious 
deed. Death ^ is better for every man than a life 
of shame!'' 

^ Banishment, unless other "tribal rights" might be 
obtained elsewhere, was little better than death. 



130 



[2892-2014] BEOWVLF 



XL AND XLI 

Beowulf s death is announeed to the host. The messenger 
discourses. The people go to the pla^e of the flght. 

Then he bade announce the issue of the fight to 
the stronghold up over the sea-cliff, where the sad 
warrior-band had been sitting by their shields the 
morning long, looking for either the death or the 
return of their dear lord. Little did he keep silence 
of the new tidings, he who rode up the headland, 
but truthfully spoke before them all: "Now the 
chief of the Weder people, lord of the Geats, source 
of all our joy, is fast in the bed of death; he lieth 
low in slaughter because of the Dragon's deeds. 
Beside him lieth his deadly foe, slain by the wound- 
ing of the knife; for with the sword he could nowise 
wound the monster. Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, 
sitteth over Beowulf, the living hero by the dead; 
over his head with weary heart he keepeth watch 
or friend and foe.^ 

"Now the nation may look for a season of war 
as soon as the fall of the king is published abroad 
among Franks and Frisians. A fierce strife with 

^ Death-watch for Beowulf and for the Dragon. 
131 



BEOWULF [2914-2928] 

the Hugas arose 1 when Hygelac came with a ship- 
army into Frisian land; there the Hetwaras van- 
quished him in battle; by their valor, with an over- 
whelming army, they forced the mailed warrior 
to sink in the fight; he fell amid his host. The 
prince gave no spoils to his warriors. Ne'er since 
then has the favor of the Merovingian ^ been 
granted us. 

THE BATTLE OF RAVENSWOOD 

The messenger telleth how Ongentheow, king of the Swedes, 
besieged the Geats in Ravenswood until King Hygelac 
came to them. How two Geatish brothers^ Eofor and 
Wulfy killed King Ongentheow in the battle that fol- 
lowed, and how they were rewarded by Hygelac. 

"Nor do I anywise look for peace or truth from the 
Swedes,^ for it was widely known that Ongentheow took 
the life of Haethcyn, son of Hrethel, near Ravenswood, 
what time the War-Scylfings in vainglory did first attack 
the Geats. Straightway the aged father of Ohthere, old 

^ See pages 60, 109. 

^ A second authentic historical allusion. The suprem- 
acy of the Merovingians lasted unti l 752^ It is obvious 
that this part of the poem was in ^SfSrence before that 
date. 

^ The messenger in forecasting the renewed enmity of 
the Swedes as one of the national results of Beowulf's 
death, recalls an ancient feud with them which illustrates 
their hostility. 

132 



[292Q-2965] BEOWULF 

and terrible, returned the blow; he slew Haethcyn, the sea- 
king, the old man rescued his wife, though robbed of her 
gold, his spouse, mother of Ohthere and Onela, and then 
he followed after his deadly foes, until they escaped with 
pain into Ravenswood, reft of their lord. Then with a 
great army he beset the remnant left by the sword, weary 
with their wounds; oft during all that night did he threaten 
woe to. the hapless band; said that on the morrow he 
would slay them with the edge of the sword, and hang 
some of them on the gallows to delight the birds. 

"With daybreak comfort came to the heavy-hearted 
men, when they heard Hygelac's horn and the blast of his 
trumpet, as the good king came marching on in their track 
with his mighty men. 

"Far and wide was to be seen the bloody track of 
Swedes and Geats, the warriors' deadly strife — how the 
peoples, together wakened the feud. Then the good chief 
Ongentheow, aged and downcast, fell back with his clans- 
men to the stronghold, the warrior turned again towards 
the upland; he had learned of the proud chiefs warfare, 
of Hygelac's might in battle. He trusted not in resist- 
ance, trusted not that he could defy the seamen, the 
ocean-farers, and defend his treasure, his children, and 
wife; the old man drew back thence under the earth-wall. 

"Then chase was given to the Swedish folk. Forth 
went Hygelac's standards over that peace-plain, until 
the Hrethlings^ thronged up to the inclosure. There 
Ongentheow, the white-haired, was driven to bay with 
the edge of the sword, so that the mighty king was forced 
to yield wholly to the will of Eofor. Wulf, son of Wonred, 
^ HrethePs men, the Geats. 

^33 



BEOWULF [2966-3W1 

Struck at him fiercely with his weapon so that at the blow 
the blood burst forth in streams beneath his hair. Yet 
the aged Scylfing was not daunted; for the king quickly 
repaid that deadly stroke with worse exchange, when he 
turned upon him. The swift son of Wonred could not 
strike that aged man again, for Ongentheow had cleft 
the helmet on his head, so that he was forced to bow; 
stained with blood, he fell to earth. But he was not yet 
doomed, for he recovered himself again, though the wound 
had touched him nearly. Then, when his brother had 
fallen, Hygelac's brave thane ^ let his broad blade, his 
old giant-sword, break through the wall of shields down 
into the giant-fashioned helm, and the king, defence of the 
people, bowed him low, mortally wounded. 

"There were many who bound up the wounds of the 
brother;^ upraised him quickly when the place was cleared 
for them, so that they could be masters of the battle-field; 
meanwhile the one warrior stripped the other — Eofor 
took from Ongentheow his iron byrnie, his hard and 
hiked sword, with his helmet, too. 

"They bore to Hygelac the old man's war-harness. 
He received the spoil, and graciously promised them re- 
wards among his people; and he performed it even so. 
The lord of the Geats, the son of Hrethel, when he had 
returned home, repaid Eofor and Wulf for their deadly 
fight with treasure exceeding great; he gave to each of 
them a hundred thousand in land and twisted rings; nor 
needed any man on earth reproach him with those rewards, 
since they had won glory in the fight. And, moreover, as 

^ Eofor who now avenges his brother Wulf by slaying 
Ongentheow. ^ Wulf. 

134 



[2997-3034] BEOWULF 

a pledge of his favor, he gave his only daughter to Eofor 
in marriage, for an honor to his home. 

*^Such is the feud and the enmity, men's deadly 
strife, for which, I ween, the Swedish people will 
attack us, soon as they learn that our lord is dead, 
he who upheld our treasure ^ and our realm against 
the foe, wrought good for his people, and won him, 
too, a hero's fame. 

^*Now we had best hasten to look upon our king, 

and bring our ring-bestower along his way to the 

pyre. No mean thing shall be burned with the 

hero, for the hoard of treasure, of untold riches, 

has been bitterly purchased; and now at the last, he 

has bought these jewels with his own life. Fire 

shall devour them, flames shall enwrap them. No 

warrior shall bear away any of the treasure for a 

memorial, no fair maiden shall wear upon her 

neck the jeweled adornment; but rather, bereft of 

gold and sad at heart, she shall tread the land of 

the stranger often and often, now that the chieftain 

has quitted laughter, mirth and glee. Therefore 

many a spear, cold in the morning, must needs be 

clasped by the fingers, uplifted in the hand; the 

sound of the harp shall not waken the warrior, but 

^ An unintelligible line perhaps out of its proper place, 
"after the fall of heroes, brave Scyldings" is omitted. 

135 



BEOWULF [3024-3051] 

the wan raven, eager o'er the doomed, shall chatter 
freely, telling the eagle ^ how he sped at the feast, 
when with the wolf he plundered the slain." 

Thus the bold hero told his hated tidings: he 
spoke not falsely touching facts or words. All the 
band arose; sadly they went, with welling tears, 
beneath Eagle's Cliff to look upon the marvel. 
And they found him who had given them treasure 
in days gone by, found him in his resting-place, life- 
less on the sand. Gone was the hero's final day, 
for the warrior-king, lord of the Weders, had died 
a wondrous death. 

But first they beheld there a stranger being, the 

loathsome beast lying over against him on the plain; 

the fiery dragon, awful monster, was all scorched 

with flames. He was fifty feet long where he lay. 

At times he had been wont to rejoice in the air 

in the night season; thereafter down returning to 

his den. Now he was fast in the clutch of death; 

he had enjoyed the last of his caverns. By him 

stood bowls and flagons; dishes lay there, and 

precious swords, rusty and eaten through, as if 

they had remained in earth's bosom a thousand 

winters; for a spell had been wound about that vast 

^ The reference to birds of prey talking of the dead 
recalls to mind the ballads of The Two Corbies and The 
Three Ravens. 

136 



[3052-3071] BEOWULF 

heritage, that gold of bygone men, so that none 
could touch the treasure-house, save as God him- 
self, the King of victory — ^He is man's Defence — 
should grant unto whom He would, even unto what- 
soever man should seem good to Him, to open up 
the hoard. 

XLII 

The Geats plunder the hoard and east the Dragon into 
the sea. 

Then it was manifest that his way did not pros- 
per, who had unrighteously hidden the riches be- 
neath the mound.i The guardian had slain some 
few of the people and the feud was dreadfully 
avenged. It is ever a wonder when a strong hero 
reacheth the end of his destined days, then when 
he may no longer dwell in hall among his kinsmen. 
This was the lot of Beowulf when he went out unto 
the guardian of the mound and the deadly strife; 
himself he knew not what was to part him from 
the world. For the mighty princes, who put the 
treasure there, uttered a deep curse upon it to hold 
till Doomsday, saying that the men who plundered 

^ This seems to be a clumsy reference to the Dragon; 
for the context obviously does not allow of our under- 
standing it to be the origiral owner. 

137 



BEOWULF [3071-3095! 

that place should be guilty of sins, imprisoned in 
idol-fanes, fast bound in the bonds of hell, and 
visited with plagues. But Beowulf was not greedy 
for gold; rather had he looked for the grace of the 
Almighty.i 

Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, spoke: ^^ Often, for the 
sake of one man, must many heroes suffer, even 
as we do now. We could not teach our dear lord, 
keeper of the realm, any counsel — that he should 
not go out against the guardian of the gold, but let 
him lie where long he had been, let him dwell in 
his haunts till the end of the world. He held to his 
high fate. The hoard is dearly bought and opened 
to our view; too cruel was the fate that enticed the 
king thither. I went within and looked upon all 
the riches of that cave, for a way had been opened, 
though not in gentle wise, and a passage granted 
me in under the earth-wall. Hurriedly I seized 
with my hands a vast burden of treasure and bore 
it out hither to my king. And he was yet alive, 
conscious still and wise of mind. Many things did 
the aged man speak in his sorrow; and he bade me 

^ The whole passage is confused. Two ideas seem to be 
contaminated, a heathen one and a Christian one: (i) In 
view of the curse, all who had anything to do with the hoard 
had suffered; (2) Beowulf's desecration of the hoard was 
partly in ignorance, and partly in righteous retribution. 

138 



[3096-3121] BEOWULF 

greet you, prayed that ye would build upon the 
place of burning a high mound, great and glorious, 
in memory of the deeds of your lord, inasmuch as 
he was the worthiest warrior among men over the 
broad earth, while he could still enjoy the wealth 
of his cities. 

"Let us now hasten to go and see the heap of 
treasures cunningly wrought, the wonder beneath 
the wall; I will guide you that ye may behold and 
see, near at hand, abundance of rings and ample 
gold. When we come out thence, let the bier be 
forthwith made ready, and then let us bear our 
master, our beloved lord, to where he shall tarry 
long, safe in the keeping of the Almighty." 

And the son of Weohstan, the hero bold in battle, 
bade that they give command to many warriors, 
owners of homes, rulers of men, to bring from far 
wood for the pyre to where the good king lay, say- 
ing: "Now shall fire consume, while the wan flame 
is waxing high, the chief among warriors, him who 
oft withstood the shower of darts, what time the 
storm of arrows urged by the string flew over the 
wall of shields, and the shaft fulfilled its duty, as, 
with its feather-fittings, it eagerly sped the barb." 

Now the wise son of Weohstan summoned to- 
gether seven of the king's best thanes from out the 

139 



BEOWULF [3122-3144] 

troop, and, himself the eighth, went with them 
under the hostile roof; one of the warriors, who 
went at the head, bore in his hand a flaming torch. 
And when the men had seen some portion of the 
treasure in the cave, lying there unguarded, and 
wasting away, in no wise did they choose by lot 
who should despoil that hoard; and little did it 
grieve any man among them that the precious 
treasures were straightway borne out thence. 

Moreover, they pushed the Dragon, that ser- 
pent, over the sea-cliff, let the wave take him and 
the waters engulf the keeper of treasure. 

There the twisted gold of every sort, past count- 
ing, was laden upon a wain. The prince, the 
hoary warrior, was borne away to Whale's Ness. 

XLIII 

They burn Beowulf. 

Then the Geatish people fashioned for him a 
mighty pile upon the ground, all hung with helms, 
and war-shields, and bright byrnies, even as he 
had entreated them; and in the midst of it the 
sorrowing men laid their great king, their beloved 
lord. Then the warriors kindled the greatest of 
funeral fires upon the mound. Uprose the wood- 

140 



[3145-3170] BEOWULF 

smoke, black above the flame; blazing fire roared 
(mingled with a sound of weeping when the 
tumult of the wind was stilled), until, hot within 
the breast, it had consumed the bony frame. Sad 
at heart, with care-laden soul, they mourned the 
fall of their lord. Likewise the aged wife,^ with 
hair upbound, sorrowing in heart, sang a dirge 
for Beowulf; oft said she dreaded sore that evil 
days would come upon her, and much bloodshed, 
fear of the warrior, and shame and bondage. — ■ 
Heaven swallowed up the smoke. 

Then the Weder people made a mound upon 
the cliff — it was high and broad, to be seen afar 
of seafaring men; and ten days they built it, the 
war-hero's beacon. They made a wall round 
about the ashes of the fire, even as the wisest of 
men could most worthily devise it there. Within 
the mound they put the rings and the jewels, all 
the adornments which the brave-hearted men had 
taken from the hoard; they let the earth hold the 
treasure of heroes, put the gold in the ground, 
where it still remains, as useless unto men as it 
was of yore. 

Then warriors, sons of princes, twelve in all, 

^ Bugge's reconstruction of another mutilated passage 
(five lines) is used. Nothing else is known of the " wife." 

141 



BEOWULF [3170-3182] 

rode about the mound; they were minded to be- 
wail their sorrow, mourn their king, utter the dirge, 
and speak of their hero; they praised his courage 
and greatly commended his mighty deeds. Thus 
it is fitting that a man should praise his lord in 
words and cherish him in heart when he must forth 
from the fleeting body. 

So the Geatish people, companions of his hearth, 

mourned the fall of their lord; said that he was a 

mighty king, the mildest and kindest of men, most 

gracious to his people, and most desirous of praise.^ 

* Cf. Tennyson's Guinivere^ 11. 478-80. 



142 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 

The approximate pronunciation is indicated is parentheses 

iElfhere (Alf'herra), see Wiglaf. 

-^schere (Ash'herra), Hrothgar^s councillor, slain by 
Grendel's mother. 

Beanstan (Bay'an-stan), father of Breca. 

Beowulf (Bay'o-wolf), the Dane, an ancestor of Hrothgar, 
not the hero of the poem. 

Beowulf the Geat, hero of the poem, son of Ecgtheow, and 
by his mother nephew to Hygelac. 

Breca (Brekka), a chief of the Brondings who contended 
with Beowulf in swimming. 

Brondings, see Breca. 

Daeghrefn (Dag'hraven), "Day Raven," a warrior of the 
Hugs, slain by Beowulf. 

Danes, variously called Scyldings, Ingwines, Hrethmen, 
North-, South-, East-, and West-Danes. The people 
of Hrothgar, whose home is apparently in southern 
Sweden. 

Eadgils (Ay 'ad gils), son of Ohthere, who with his brother, 
Eandmund, is banished from Sweden because of re- 
bellion; they flee to the land of the Geats, where 
Heardred is king. An invasion of the Geatish land 
follows, headed by Onela, king of the Swedes. King 
Heardred is slain, and Onela leaves Beowulf to succeed 

143 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 

to the throne. Beowulf later aids Eadgils in avenging 

himself. 
Eanmund (Ay'an mund), brother to Eadgils* slain by 

Weohstan. 
Ecglaf (Edge'laf), father of Unferth. 
Ecgtheow (Edge'theow), father of Beowulf, and husband 

to the only daughter of King Hrethel. 
Ecgwela (Edge'wella), an ancestor of the Danes. 
Elan (Ay'lan), ? daughter of Healfdene, and sister of 

Hrothgar. 
Eofor (Ay'o vor) , a Geatish warrior, brother of Wulf , who 

fought with the Swedish King Ongentheow. 
Eomser (Ay' o mare), son of Off a and Thrytho. 
Eormanric (Ay'or man ric), Hermanric, king of the Os- 
trogoths . 
Eotens (Ay'o tens), the people of Finn; perhaps the Jutes. 
Finn, king of the Eotens, who abducted Hildeburh, a 

Danish princess. 
Finns, the people in whose land Beowulf finds himself after 

his swimming-match with Breca. 
Fitela (Fit'el la), the Norse Sinfiotli, nephew to Sige- 

mund. 
Folcwalda (Folk' wall da), father of Finn. 
Franks , one of the nations that defeated Hygelac in his last 

raid. 
Freawaru (Fray 'a wa roo), Hrothgar's daughter who is 

betrothed to Ingeld. 
Frisians, one of the tribes who defeated Hygelac; also the 

people of Finn. 
Froda, father of Ingeld. 
Garmund, father of Off a. 

144 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 

Geats (Yay'ats, or, Gay'ats), variously called Hrethlings, 

Weders, Weder-, Sea- and War-Geats. Beowulf's 

people. 
Gifths, ? the Gepidae. 

Grendel, an evil monster, descendant of Cain. 
Guthlaf (Gooth'laf), a Danish warrior who, with Oslaf, 

brought reinforcements in the battle against King Finn. 
Haereth (Hair'eth), father of Hygd. 
Haethcyn (Hath 'kin), second son of Hrethel, king of the 

Geats. He kills his elder brother, Herebeald, and 

later succeeds to the throne, but is slain by Ongen- 

theow. 
Half-Danes, the tribe to which Hnaef belonged. 
Halga, younger brother to Hrothgar. 
Hama, the man who stole the Brising necklace. 
Healfdene (Hay'alf denna), father of Hrothgar and king 

of the Danes. 
Heardred (Hay'ard red), Hygelac*s son, for a short time 

king of the Geats, under the regency of Beowulf. 
Heathobards (Hay 'a tho bards), the tribe to which Ingeld 

belongs. 
Heatholaf (Hay 'a tho laf), slain by Ecgtheow. 
Heathoraemas (Hay'a tho ray "mas), the people among whom 

Breca finds himself after his swimming-match. 
Helmings, the people to whom Wealtheow belongs. 
Hemming, kinsman of Ofifa and Eomaer. 
Hengest, the enemy of Finn, who attempts to avenge the 

abduction of his sister. 
Heorogar (Hay o ro gar), Hrothgar's elder brother. 
Heorot (Hay o rot), Hrothgar's hall. 
Heoroweard (Hay'o ro waird), son of Heorogar. 

145 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 

Heorobeald (Hay'o ro bay"ald), King HrethePs son, slain 

by his brother, 
Heremod (Herra mod), a king of the Danes, twice men- 

Joned as a type of the cruel and incompetent sovereign. 
Hereric (Herra rik), Heardred's uncle. 
Hetwaras, one of the tribes that fought against Hygelac in 

his last raid. 
Hildeburh (Hilda burgh), see Finn. 
Hnaef (Hnaf), brother of Hengest and his assistant; see 

Hengest. 
Hoc, father of Hildeburh. 

Hondscio (Hond'she o), Beowulf s thane, slain by Grendel. 
Hreosnabeorh (Hray'os na bay"orh), scene of the invasion 

by Onela and Ohthere. 
Hrethel (Hreh'thel), Hygelac's father and Beowulf's grand- 
father, formerly king of the Geats. 
Hrethlings, Hrethel's people, the Geats. 
Hrethmen, a name of the Danes. 
Hrethric, Hrothgar's eldest son. 
Hrothgar, king of the Danes, builder of Heorot. 
Hrothmund, Hrothgar's younger son. 
Hrothulf, Hrothgar's nephew. 

Hrunting (Hroon'ting), the name of Unferth's sword. 
Hugs, a race allied to the Franks. 
Hunlaf, a "son of Hunlaf," is mentioned as the slayer of 

Hengest. 
Hygd (Higd) , Hygelac's gracious queen. 
Hygelac (Hig'el ak), Beowulf's uncle, king of the Geats. 
Ingeld, betrothed to Freawaru. 

Ingwine (Ing'winna), Ingaevones, a name of the Danes. 
Naegling (Nag'ling), name of a sword of Beowulf's. 

146 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 

Offa, Thrytho's husband. 

Ohthere (Oht'herra), father of Eanmund and Eadgils. 
Onela, brother of Ohthere, and a king of the Swedes. 
Ongentheow (On'gen thay o), king of the Swedes, slain by 

Eofor. He invaded the land of the Geats. 
Oslaf, see Guthlaf. 
Ravenswood, scene of the battle in which Ongentheow met 

Hygelac. 
Scyld (Shild), founder of the Danish royal family. 
Scyldings (Shildings), the people of the above-named 

king. 
Scylfings (Shilfings) , a common name of the Swedes. 
Sigemund, the Volsung. 
Swerting, Hygelac' s grandfather. 
Thrytho (Thri'tho), Offa's shrewish wife, contrasted with 

the gracious Hygd. 
Unferth, Hrothgar's spokesman. 
Waegmundings (Wag'moon dings), the family to which 

Beowulf and Wiglaf belong. 
Waels, father of Sigemund, who is hence called Waelsing or 

Volsung. 
Wayland, the smith of the Gods. 
Wealtheow (Way'al thay o), Hrothgar's queen. 
Weders, see Geats. 
Wendels, ? Vandals, Wulfgar's people. 
Weohstan (Way'ox tan), father of Wiglaf, and slayer of 

Eanmund. 
Wiglaf, Beowulf s faithful thane. 
Withergild (Wither guild), probably a warrior of the Heath- 

obards. 
Wonred, father of Wulf and Eofor. 

147 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES 

Wulf, son of Wonred, wounded by Ongentheow, in the 
Battle of Ravenswood, but rescued by his brother, 
Eofor. 

Wulfgar, Hrothgar's herald. 

Wylfings (Will'fings), the tribe to which Heatholaf belonged. 

Wyrd (Weird), Fate. 

Yrmenlaf (Eer'men laf), younger brother of -^schere. 



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